Rebecca Shoal Light

This wooden lighthouse stood approximately 66 feet high on tall pilings above Rebecca Shoal, positioned between the Marquesas Keys and Dry Tortugas in offshore waters. The structure featured a square base design and was equipped with a lens that produced white flashes regularly.

Construction was completed in 1886 following several failed attempts to build on this exposed location, helping protect vessels in this challenging area. The structure operated until 1953, when it was removed and demolished.

The lighthouse served as a critical navigation landmark for vessels passing through this region of the Keys, helping captains avoid the treacherous shallow waters. This location held significance for maritime traffic and was well known to those who regularly sailed these channels.

Access to this location requires a boat, as it sits far offshore and is not reachable by land from any nearby point. Visitors should know that only remnants of the original structure remain visible today.

The original lantern was saved when the lighthouse became automated in 1926 and was later installed on a private lighthouse structure in Key Largo. This preservation shows how maritime equipment from the era was sometimes rescued and given new use.

Location: Monroe County

Made from material: lumber

GPS coordinates: 24.57833,-82.58500

Latest update: December 10, 2025 20:08