Anclote Keys Light, Lighthouse on Anclote Key, Florida, US
Anclote Keys Light is a lighthouse located on a barrier island about 3 miles (5 km) offshore from Tarpon Springs on Florida's Gulf Coast. The tower features a square skeletal iron framework painted brown with a black lantern room at the top and stands 31 meters tall.
The lighthouse was built in 1887 to guide ships through the Gulf of Mexico coastal waters and operated with its original third-order Fresnel lens until it became automated in 1952.
The Friends of Anclote Key State Park organization leads preservation initiatives and educational programs about the maritime heritage of Florida's coast.
Reaching the lighthouse requires bringing or renting a private boat since the site lies several miles offshore from the mainland. Visitors should check weather and tide conditions before planning their trip.
The tower was prefabricated from cast iron components and assembled at the location in just three months. This building technique was remarkably advanced engineering for the 1880s.
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