Inventory of Historic Light Stations--Florida Lighthouses--

Inventory of Historic Light Stations
Florida Lighthouses

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Back to Inventory - List of Florida Lighthouses

CAPE FLORIDA LIGHT

State: FLORIDA
Location: SOUTHERNMOST POINT ON KEY BISCAYNE
Nearest City: KEY BISCAYNE
County: DADE
U.S.C.G. District: 7
Year Station Established: 1825

Joe Maslach photo courtesy Bill Baggs Cape Florida SRA

Existing Historic Tower:

Year Light First Lit: 1846
Is the Light Operational? YES (PRIVATE AID TO NAVIGATION)
Date Deactivated: 1878-1978,1990-1996
Automated: 1978
Foundation Materials: BRICK ON CORAL REEF
Construction Materials: BRICK W/STEEL STAIRS
Markings/Patterns: WHITEWASHED RED BRICK W/BLACK TOP
Shape: CONICAL
Relationship to Other Structures: SEPARATE
Tower Height: 95
Original Optic: 17 ARGAND LAMPS WITH 21-INCH REFLECTORS
Year Original Lens Installed: 1846
SECOND ORDER, FRESNEL (1855-1978)
Present Optic: 300 MM
Year Present Lens Installed: 1996
Height of Focal Plane: 100
Fresnel Lens Disposition:
Has tower been moved? NO

Previous Tower(s):

1. Construction Date: 1825
Description: CONICAL WHITEWASHED BRICK TOWER
Fate/Disposition: TORN DOWN FOR CONSTRUCTION OF 1846 TOWER

Modern Tower? NO

Existing Sound Signal Building? NO

Existing Keepers Quarters? YES, REPLICA OF 1846 KEEPERS

Year Constructed: 1970
Number of Stories: 2
Architectural Style: CAPE COD
Construction Materials: BRICK

Other Structures: REPLICA SUMMER KITCHEN (1970), REPLICA OUTHOUSE (1970), REPLICA CISTERN (1970)

Current Use: STATE RECREATION AREA/MUSEUM IN KEEPERS

Owner/Manager: FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES

Open to the Public? YES (Go to Lighthouses to Visit for access information)

Web Site:

National Register Status: LISTED; Reference #70000180
Name of Listing: CAPE FLORIDA LIGHTHOUSE
On State List/Inventory? YES; Year Listed: 1961

Miscellaneous:
ATTACKED BY SEMINOLE INDIANS, EXTINGUISHED 1836-1846; TOWER HEIGHTENED 40 FEET IN 1855; COAST GUARD RELIT TOWER 1978-1990; LANTERN REPLACED 1969; DEACTIVATED 1990; RESTORED & RELIT 1996

Last Modified: Fri, Mar 01 2002 3:04:02 pm EDT
JMP

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