description Key West Lighthouse Overview
The Key West Lighthouse is a historic maritime structure in Key West, Florida, first constructed in 1825 and rebuilt in 1847 following hurricane damage, with additional height added in 1894 to improve its visibility. Standing 86 feet tall, the white tower with its black lantern served as a navigational aid marking the dangerous reef surrounding the Florida Keys until it was decommissioned by the Coast Guard in 1974. Today, the lighthouse and keeper's quarters operate as a museum managed by the Key West Art & Historical Society, allowing visitors to climb the 88 steps of the iron spiral staircase for views of the island and surrounding waters.
help Key West Lighthouse FAQ
Was the current Key West Lighthouse built in 1898?
No. The current tower opened in 1848 after the hurricane of 1846 destroyed the earlier Whitehead Point lighthouse; it was later heightened and upgraded with a third-order Fresnel lens.
Can visitors climb the Key West Lighthouse?
Yes. The Key West Art & Historical Society operates the site as a museum, and visitors can climb the tower for views over Key West.
Who was the first keeper of the current Key West Lighthouse?
Barbara Mabrity became keeper when the current lighthouse opened in 1848. A woman holding such an official maritime post was highly unusual in the nineteenth century.
What can you see besides the tower at the Key West Lighthouse?
Admission includes the Keeper's Quarters, an 1887 building furnished with exhibits about the keepers and their families. The museum also displays historic photographs, artifacts, and a first-order Fresnel lens formerly used at Sombrero Key.
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