Type:
Year Established:
1825
Existing:
Yes
Source:
LL-1854
Download:
File Type:
jpg (image/jpeg)
Photo Date:
2017
Photo Credit:
Sharon Jones
Photo Courtesy of:
U.S. Lighthouse Society
Collection / Donor:
LOCATION
Location:
SOUTHERNMOST POINT ON KEY BISCAYNE
Latitude:
25° 39.56'
Longitude:
80° 05.00'
City / Town:
KEY BISCAYNE
U.S. State:
Florida
Location County:
DADE
Country:
United States
OWNER & ACCESS
Open to Public:
Yes
STRUCTURE
Year Discontinued:
1878-1978
Year Tower Established:
1846
Tower Construction Material:
BRICK W/STEEL STAIRS
Tower Foundation:
BRICK ON LIMESTONE ROCK
Height of light above mean high water, in feet:
75
Height, in feet, from base of structure to center of lantern:
70
Tower Shape:
CONICAL
Tower Daymark:
White
Fog Signal Building?:
No
Keeper's Quarters?:
Yes
Year Keeper's Quarters:
1970
Keeper's Quarters Style:
CAPE COD
Keeper's Quarters Construction:
BRICK
Other Structures:
REPLICA SUMMER KITCHEN (1970), REPLICA OUTHOUSE (1970), REPLICA CISTERN (1970)
OPTICS
Current Optic:
300 MM
Original Optic Type:
17 ARGAND LAMPS/21" REFLECTORS
Private Aid:
Yes
USCG Access to Optics:
No
More Information
Entered by:
Entered Date:
Jul 20, 2017
When the lighthouse was first built, a half mile separated the tower from the shoreline.
Holds the distinction as the only active lighthouse to ever be attacked by natives; July 23 & 24, 1836. Keeper Dubose was in Key West on "vacation" visiting his family who had fled earlier due to hostilities between natives and settlers. Filling in was John Thompson and his assistant (and possible slave) Aaron Carter. Sadly Cater died in the lighthouse due to being shot numerous times. Thompson who was burning to death tried to blow up the lighthouse, but the keg of gunpowder's just intensified the heat. He then tried to jump off the iron observation deck, but just couldn't do it. He laid down to die. Miraculously, he survived and was finally rescued by the crew of the USS Motto a couple days later.
The lighthouse exterior was used in the 1967 film Wild Rebels where the police have a shoot out with the villains. The interiors were filmed just up the road at Hillsboro Inlet.
In 2024 and into 2025 the lantern windows were completely replaced. Spearheaded by Neil Hurley, the plexiglass windows were replaced with actual glass in the lantern. Also, a fresh coat of paint was applied in July.