Key West Lighthouse facts for kids
| Location | Whiteheads Point in Key West, Florida |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 24°33′02″N 81°48′03″W / 24.55064°N 81.80088°W |
| Year first lit | 1849 |
| Automated | 1915 |
| Deactivated | 1969 |
| Foundation | "Natural emplaced" |
| Construction | Brick |
| Tower shape | Conical |
| Height | 73 feet (22 m) |
| Original lens | 13 Argand lamps with 21-inch (530 mm) reflectors |
The Key West Lighthouse is a historic lighthouse located in Key West, Florida. The very first lighthouse in Key West was a 65-foot tall tower. It was finished in 1825 and used 15 lamps with 15-inch reflectors to shine its light.
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History of the Key West Lighthouse
The first person to look after the lighthouse, called a keeper, was Michael Mabrity. He passed away in 1832. His wife, Barbara Mabrity, then took over his important job. She served as the lighthouse keeper for an amazing 32 years!
The Great Hurricane of 1846
In 1846, a very powerful storm called the Great Havana Hurricane of 1846 hit Key West. This hurricane completely destroyed the lighthouse. A ship named the USS Morris, which also got wrecked in the storm, reported that "a white sand beach covers the spot where Key West Lighthouse stood."
Barbara Mabrity survived the hurricane. However, many people who had sought safety inside the lighthouse tower did not. This included seven members of her own family. The same hurricane also destroyed the Sand Key Lighthouse, which was about 8 miles away. Its keeper, Rebecca Flaherty, also passed away.
Rebuilding and Changes
Because both lighthouses were destroyed, a ship called the Honey was used as a temporary lighthouse. It served as the Sand Key Light until new lighthouses could be built. It took some time for the Congress to approve money for the new lighthouses.
The new Key West Lighthouse tower was finished in 1848. It was 50 feet tall and stood on ground about 15 feet above sea level. This new lighthouse used 13 lamps with 21-inch reflectors. In 1858, the light was upgraded with a special Fresnel lens. This type of lens made the light much brighter and more focused.
In 1873, the top part of the lighthouse, called the lantern, was replaced. It had been damaged by another hurricane in 1866. This repair also made the tower three feet taller. Over time, trees and new buildings in Key West started to block the lighthouse's beam. So, in 1894, the tower was made even taller, by 20 feet! This meant the light was now about 100 feet above sea level.
The Lighthouse Today
The United States Coast Guard stopped using the Key West Light in 1969. After that, it was given to Monroe County, Florida. The county then let the Key West Arts and Historical Society take care of it.
Today, the society runs the lighthouse and its old keeper's house as the Key West Light House and Keeper's Quarters Museum. Visitors can explore the lighthouse and learn about its history. Inside the museum, you can even see a large Fresnel lens that used to be in the Sombrero Key Lighthouse.
In 2020, the Key West Art and Historical Society created a new visitor area at the Lighthouse. This was designed for smaller groups, especially because of the global pandemic.
