T

he lighthouse is located on the southernmost tip of Key Biscayne in the historic BillBaggs State Park and Recreation Area. Owned by the State, Cape Florida lighthouse is the oldest landmark in South Florida. Cape Florida was originally discovered by the Spanish explorer Ponce de Leon in 1513.The surrounding area was known for ferocious storms, uncharted waters with hidden sandbars and submerged reefs, all very hazardous to early sailors, causing hundreds of shipwrecks along the Straits of Florida. The original lighthouse and cottage was built in 1825 at a height of 65 feet. On July 23,1836 the lighthouse and keeper quarters were attacked and burned by Seminole Indians as part of the second Seminole Wars. The assistant lighthouse keeper survived the attack and was rescued by the crew of a Navy schooner. However his helper was killed. The light remained out of service from 1836 until 1847. In 1846 Congress allocated $23,000 to recon- struct the light and on April 30, 1847 the light was re-lit. In 1855 the lighthouse was reno- vated. Its height was increased to its current day height of 95 feet, and a 119 step spiral staircase was added. A second order fresnel lens was also installed.In 1861 Confederate sympathizers ransacked the light and disabled it so it could notbe used to aid the Union. The light was again repaired and put back in service after the war in 1866. After the nearby Fowery Rocks light was built in 1878, the Cape Florida lighthouse lens and illumination mechanics were removed and sent to Staten Island, N.Y.Following Hurricane Andrew in 1992 another extensive restoration took place chang-ing its appearance from brown brick to its present day white. Open to the public, today park rangers and guides offer tours of the grounds, cottage and lighthouse.

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Cape Florida Lighthouse

Key Biscayne, Florida Cover Photo By: Richard A. Cozier