A Visit to Sand Key Light

Early Days of the Tower Construction

     The day was a bit choppy, and the tide was in so none of the sand bars were showing, but the Sand Key Light still stood majestically out there in the ocean.   This is the first opportunity that I have had to see the light up close and personal.   I is awesome to see and understand what it has been through during its lifetime.


    First built as a brick tower in 1827, and it was damaged by a hurricane in 1844, and toppled by the "Great Havana Hurricane of 1846" as the sand on the island was washed away.  The lighthouse keeper wand five others were killed as a result.

 

Sand Key Light Today

     The lighthouse was reconstructed as a tower with a screw pile foundation, finally completed after several budget problems related to Federal Government issues.  Completed in 1853 and was the first to use a hydraulic lamp and a first became automated in  1938.

    The tower's open construction allowed the light to survive many hurricanes since it's reconstruction.  Though suffering minor damages in several storms, it stood strong until the tower was severely damaged by a fire in 1989.  The tower was reconstructed and put back in operation in 1998.

     This is a great place fore fishing and diving, and just a really cool place to visit and enjoy a day on the boat.  ;o)