Cedar Key Light, Integral lighthouse on Seahorse Key, Florida, US.
Cedar Key Light is a lighthouse on Seahorse Key in Florida that rises about 23 meters above the water. It stands within the Cedar Keys National Wildlife Refuge and now serves as a research facility for the University of Florida.
The tower was built in 1854 and received a Fresnel lens that was crucial for ship navigation along the Gulf Coast. In 2019, a replica of the historic lens was installed, restoring the tower's ability to shine.
The tower marks the landscape of the wildlife refuge and reflects the maritime importance that shaped this coastal area. Visitors can sense the connection between the structure and the seafaring heritage of the region.
The tower stands on an island within a protected refuge and is not freely accessible to visitors. Expect restrictions since the site operates as a research center today.
The structure guided ships safely past this dangerous coastal area for over 140 years, though it stood dark for a long period in between. The lens replica installation made it one of the few restored lighthouses that actually shines again.
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