Key West is a lazy, laid-back carefree town steeped in history. I couldn’t wait to explore all the historic landmarks that the island had to offer. One of the first places on my list was the Key West Lighthouse, an iconic landmark in the Old Town neighborhood. I was excited to learn about the fascinating life of lighthouse keepers and their families.
As I approached the lighthouse, I was struck by its tall, sturdy structure and the sweeping view of the surrounding landscape. I made my way up the spiral staircase, step by step, pausing at several pullouts along the way to get a glimpse through some portholes. Frankly, it was more to pace myself and rest my body more than anything else. I’m in reasonably good shape, and you have to be to able ascend the 88 steps to the top. It’s well worth the effort, and good exercise, too, especially to work off that slice of key lime pie I had at lunch!
Finally, I reach the top of the lighthouse. The views are magnificent! You see the turquoise waters of the Gulf of Mexico, the island life on the narrow streets, and the roof tops of the many bungalows below. Walk around the top of the lighthouse and take in a 360° stunning view of the entire island.
After spending some time at the top of the lighthouse, I descended back down the stairs to explore the living quarters. Walking through the rooms where the keepers and their families once lived was like taking a step back in time. The rooms were filled with antique furniture and personal artifacts, giving me a glimpse into what life must have been like for the lighthouse keepers and their families.
As I continued my tour, I learned about the lighthouse’s history and the important role it played in guiding ships safely through the dangerous waters of the Florida Keys. I also discovered the challenges that the keepers faced in maintaining the lighthouse, from dealing with hurricanes to keeping the light burning bright every night. The first lighthouse was built in 1825. It was made of coral rock and topped out at the height of 65 feet. Over time, as trees grew taller and buildings increased in height, a new lighthouse was needed, so one was constructed in 1846 to a height of 86 feet.
By then, new technology had emerged: The Fresnel lens, pioneered by French physicist Augustin-Jean Fresnel. The new lens increased the reach of the light beam to 16 nautical miles. Several versions of the Fresnel lens, each more powerful than the last, were developed and installed over the years until the Key West Lighthouse became obsolete and was decommissioned in 1969 by the U.S. Coast Guard.
Today, the Key West Lighthouse is a popular tourist attraction. It’s owned by the local government, but is maintained by the Key West Art & Historical Society. Visitors can spend a lovely day exploring the lighthouse, the grounds, museum, and gift shop, which has restrooms. Special evening events include group sunset viewing from the top of the lighthouse with wine and food tastings. Whatever way you choose to visit, the lighthouse is a must-see experience to get a true taste of Key West history.
