Carysfort Reef Light

The lighthouse on Carysfort Reef is a 100-foot tall red iron skeleton tower with an octagonal pyramidal structure and platform foundation sitting in the waters of the Florida Keys. The structure was specifically engineered to maintain stability in the challenging coral reef environment.

The structure was built between 1848 and 1852 under the direction of Lieutenant George Meade, who applied groundbreaking engineering techniques to achieve stability on the coral reef. His innovative design became a model for other lighthouses in challenging locations.

The lighthouse served as a vital navigation point for ships navigating the treacherous waters around the Florida Keys. Its construction marked a turning point in securing these heavily traveled sea routes.

Visitors can view one of the oldest surviving lighthouses of its type in the United States, which remained operational until 2015. Consider spotting this historic structure during a boat tour through the Keys.

Between 1833 and 1841, roughly 324 shipwrecks occurred on the reef where the lighthouse stands, with 63 happening directly at Carysfort Reef. This alarming tally shows how dangerous the waters were before the lighthouse was built.

Location: Monroe County

Inception: 1825

Architects: George Meade, I. W. P. Lewis

GPS coordinates: 25.22187,-80.21142

Latest update: December 10, 2025 20:04