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Florida Lighthouses

Key West
Florida Keys

Key West

Key West
Constructed 1847. First Lighted January 15, 1848. On National Register Listing. Deactivated: December 1, 1969. Restored in 1989-91.
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At a Glance

Region
Florida Keys
Type
Historic Lighthouse
Latitude
24.55066
Longitude
-81.800885

Key West Lighthouse


Photo: J. K. Stromstedt-Allen		 Active: No

Characteristics: Fixed, white light.

Height: 86 feet, 98 steps

DayMark: White-washed conical brick tower with a black lantern

History: Constructed 1847. First Lighted January 15, 1848. On National Register Listing. Deactivated: December 1, 1969. Restored in 1989-91.

Lens: Original: Thirteen Lewis patent lamps with 21-inch reflectors (1847-1858); Winslow Lewis 1847. Present: third-order fixed Fresnel lens (1859). Focal Plane: 91 feet (originally 67 feet).

Construction: Architect: Smith, Keeney and Hollowday Co. Builder: Duncan Cameron. Conical masonry tower constructed of brick, granite and iron.

Other Buildings: Keeper's dwelling, privy, oil storage house, chicken coop.

Operated by: Key West Art & Historical Society

Visit Status: Open to Public

Days Open: Open daily

Facilities: Museum, Gift Shop, handicap accessible

Hours Open: 9:30 am to 5:30 pm

Visitor Info: Admission includes restored keeper’s dwelling with museum, and displays of several Fresnel lenses, including the first-order fixed lens from the Sombrero Reef Lighthouse.

Admission: $8.00
 
Contact:
Key West Art & Historical Society, Inc.
Lori Reid
938 Whitehead Street
Key West, FL  33040

Email: LReid@KWAHS.org
Website:  www.KWAHS.com/lighthouse.htm

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Overview

Key West Lighthouse stands inland on Whitehead Street, directly across from the Hemingway Home. The 86-foot white brick tower is surrounded by museum grounds and a keeper’s dwelling, offering a rare chance to experience both sides of lighthouse life in an urban setting.

History

Key West’s first lighthouse was lighted in 1826 near the shoreline. Keeper Barbara Mabrity took charge after her husband’s death and served through several hurricanes, but the great storm of 1846 destroyed the tower and killed fourteen people sheltering there. A replacement was built farther inland and entered service in 1848. As the growing city obscured the beam, the tower was heightened in the 1890s. The light was automated with acetylene in 1915 and electrified in the 1930s. It was deactivated in 1969 and transferred for use as a museum.

Visiting & Access

The lighthouse and keeper’s quarters museum are in central Key West and are normally open daily. Visitors can climb the tower and explore exhibits in the dwelling and grounds. Check the Key West Art & Historical Society for current hours and ticket information.

Current Status

Monroe County owns the historic station, which is operated by the Key West Art & Historical Society. The lighthouse is inactive, but its third-order Fresnel lens remains in the lantern. The tower, dwelling, and grounds are open as a museum.

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