Key West Lighthouse

Key West , Florida - Built in 1825 and 1847

Before the first beacon was built in 1825, Key West was home to fishermen, wreckers,
and pirates. Because of the dreaded Florida reefs and the low sandy islands, no American
coastline was more dangerous to ships, then the Florida Keys, so a lighthouse was built
there in 1825. The first lighthouse collapsed in an 1846 hurricane, killing 14 people who were
seeking refuge inside. Immediately the lighthouse was replaced. With the developement of
new real estate in Key West, it had left the lighthouse far inland, so in 1969, the Coast Guard
decommissioned it. The lighthouse stands today in the middle of downtown Key West and
serves as a museum.

By Gail Borgman McGuire ©2006