Hillsboro Inlet Light

Hillsboro Inlet Light is a 42-meter tower with an octagonal iron framework painted in black and white diagonal stripes. The structure sits on a jetty and marks a critical navigation point along the coast for vessels traveling in the area.

Congress approved construction of this navigation aid in 1901, and it began operating in 1907 with a kerosene lamp system. The tower served as a crucial guide for maritime traffic along the Atlantic coast.

The lighthouse stands as a symbol of maritime heritage in this coastal town and represents the area's long connection to the sea and shipping routes.

The lighthouse sits on a point that can be accessed from the nearby coastal road. Access may be limited depending on tidal conditions and weather, so check local conditions before visiting.

Inside the tower sits a second-order Fresnel lens imported from Paris, whose concentrated light rays historically sparked fires in the nearby Everglades. This optical component is a rare example of early 20th-century French lighthouse engineering.

Location: Hillsboro Beach

Inception: 1907

Height: 42 m

GPS coordinates: 26.25889,-80.08083

Latest update: December 8, 2025 19:59