Key West Lighthouse

The Key West Lighthouse is currently being operated by the Key West Art and Historical society as a museum. Located at the Whiteheads point in the Key West, the lighthouse is a major attraction for those traveling to Key West.

The original Key West Lighthouse structure was erected in 1825 as a 65 foot tower with 15 lamps in 15 inch reflectors. The lighthouse was destroyed in the Great Havana Hurricane of 1846 killing 14 people who had taken shelter inside the lighthouse.

The present lighthouse is about twelve hundred feet away from the original lighthouse. The new lighthouse has been built using precision and meticulous planning. The structure stands with a coral bedrock base, several feet deep. Bricks were laid on the base to erect to tower that took 48 days to complete at an amazing cost of $7,247.

Florida lighthouses - Key West

http://www.bansemer.com/florida_lighthouses/key_west_lighthouse.htm

Lighthouse Profile

http://www.lighthousefriends.com/light.asp?ID=366

The light house tower is renowned to have had a female lighthouse keeper, Barbara Mabrity, who served till the age of 82, when she was forced to retire due to a rift with the council. Another woman, Mary Bethel also served the lighthouse as a keeper. She had served the lighthouse for 17 years with her husband as an assistant keeper and 10 years as the head keeper after his death.

Key West Lighthouse on Wiki

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Key_West_Light

The Key West Lighthouse was officially out of commission in 1969. the lights were finally extinguished after 121 years of continuous service. In 1989, the lighthouse was resurrected by the Key West Art and Historical Society as a museum.

The view from the top of the lighthouse after ascending 88 steps is one of the Key West travel specials. The 86-foot tall tower provides a view over the city including the famous Hemingway House. The original furniture and displays from the yesteryears adds to the charm of the glory from the past.

Key West Art and Historical Society

http://www.kwahs.com/