Key West lighthouse, Maritime lighthouse in Key West, United States
The Key West lighthouse is a brick structure located along the coast of this island town that served as a navigation aid for ships. The building features thick masonry walls painted white with a black lantern chamber at the top, from which light shone across the water.
The original lighthouse on this site was built in 1825 but was destroyed by a hurricane, leading to the construction of a replacement structure in 1848. This rebuilding allowed the town to resume guiding vessels safely through the treacherous waters surrounding the Florida Keys.
The lighthouse has long served as a landmark that shapes the identity of Key West's waterfront. Visitors come here to connect with the area's seafaring past and understand how maritime life defined this island community.
A set of interior stairs takes visitors upward, and once at the top you get a clear view of the town and surrounding waters. Those who can climb stairs and allow time for the visit will be rewarded with excellent views.
The optical system on display here comes from a different lighthouse called Sombrero Key and shows the advanced technology that sailors once relied on. This exhibited equipment tells a story of how light and glass saved lives at sea.
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