Alligator Reef Light facts for kids
 |
|
| Alligator Reef lighthouse, date unknown | |
 Alligator Reef Light
Location in Florida
|
|
| Location | 3.5 nautical miles; 6.4 kilometres (4 mi) east of Indian Key near the Matecumbe Keys Florida United States |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 24°51′6.43″N 80°37′7.86″W / 24.8517861°N 80.6188500°W |
| Year first lit | 1873 |
| Automated | 1963 |
| Deactivated | 2015 |
| Foundation | iron piles woth platform |
| Construction | wrought iron skeleton framework tower |
| Tower shape | octagonal pyramidal tower enclosing stair cylinder, keeper's dwelling on a platform, balcony and lantern |
| Markings / pattern | white tower and keeper's dwelling, black lantern and pile foundations |
| Height | 136 feet (41 m) |
| Focal height | 136 feet (41 m) |
| Original lens | first order bivalve Fresnel lens (1873) |
| Current lens | VRB-25 aerobeacon (1997) |
| Range | white: 16 nautical miles (30 km; 18 mi) red: 13 nautical miles (24 km; 15 mi) |
| Characteristic | Fl (4) W 60s. (2Red sectors) 0.2s fl 9.8s ec. 0.2s fl 9.8s ec. 0.2s fl 9.8s ec. 0.2s fl 29.8s ec. Red from 23° to 249° and 047° to 068°. |
| Racon | "G" (Golf) |
| Admiralty number | J2988 |
| ARLHS number | USA-006 |
| USCG number | 3-0980 |
The Alligator Reef Light is a historic lighthouse located about 4 nautical miles (about 7.4 kilometers) east of Indian Key. It stands near the Matecumbe Keys in Florida, United States. This lighthouse is just north of the actual Alligator Reef.
The lighthouse was first lit in 1873. It became automatic in 1963, meaning it no longer needed people living there to operate it. It stopped working in July 2014. A smaller, newer light on a 16-foot steel structure is now used nearby.
The Alligator Reef Light is a tall, white, eight-sided tower made of iron. It stands on black iron piles driven into the seabed. Inside the tower, there's a square living area and a staircase. The light itself is 136 feet (about 41 meters) above the water. The top lantern part is black. The original light used a special Fresnel lens.
Contents
History of Alligator Reef Light
Why is it called Alligator Reef?
The lighthouse is named after the U.S. Navy schooner Alligator. This ship was part of a special U.S. Navy group that helped stop pirates. In 1822, the Alligator ran aground, meaning it got stuck, at this very spot.
To prevent pirates from using the ship, it was blown up after everything useful was taken off. Many other ships have also sunk here because of the sharp coral reefs.
Building the Lighthouse
Building the Alligator Reef Light was a huge project. It cost about $185,000 at the time. To make the tower strong, workers used a 2,000-pound (about 900 kg) hammer. This hammer drove 12-inch (300 mm) iron piles ten feet (3 meters) deep into the coral. These piles form the strong base of the lighthouse.
The Lighthouse Today
What is happening to the lighthouse?
On February 1, 2019, an exciting announcement was made about the lighthouse. The government decided to give the lighthouse away for free. This offer was for government groups, schools, non-profit organizations, or community groups.
They could get the lighthouse if they wanted to use it for good purposes. These uses include education, parks, recreation, cultural activities, or saving history. This plan follows a law called the National Historic Lighthouse Preservation Act.
