Key West, Florida, Lighthouse Poster

"Key West, Florida, Lighthouse" by Catherine Sherman. No longer an active lighthouse, the Key West Lighthouse is still a beacon for tourists visiting this vibrant tropical cultural and literary city at the western end of Florida Keys. Key West is the southernmost point of the continental United States. The Key West Lighthouse was opened in 1848, replacing an 1825 lighthouse that was destroyed in an 1846 hurricane. Barbara Mabrity became a Key West lightkeeper in 1832 in the original lighthouse after the death of her husband and served for 32 years in both lighthouses. She survived the 1846 hurricane which destroyed the first lighthouse, although 14 people died who took shelter, including seven members of her family. The lighthouse was needed for the United States Navy, which had established a Base in Key West in 1823 and continues to operate on the island, and for fishing fleets and commercial ships. The lighthouse made it easier to navigate the shallow, reef-laden waters off the Florida Keys. Many of the early residents of Key West became extremely wealthy saving passengers from ship wrecks and charging high fees for salvaging the goods. Called salvage wreckers, these entrepreneurs built many of the beautiful, large, well-made homes in Key West that have survived many severe storms. When the current Key West Lighthouse was completed, it was 50 feet (15 m) tall with 13 lamps in 21-inch (530 mm) reflectors, and stood on ground about 15 feet (4.6 m) above sea level. After a series of improvements, the lighthouse reached its current height of 100 feet (30 m) above sea level in 1894. The tower is conical and constructed of brick. It was automated in 1915 and decommissioned in 1969. After the Coast Guard decommissioned the Key West Light in 1969, it was turned over to Monroe County and is now a museum. Visitors can climb the 88 steps to the top and visit the lightkeeper's house.