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The Southwest florida was a great idea that had a sole purpose. This type of site should be utilized everywhere because not every place has the same history. This place was used to collect and preserve  original and source dcouments.

Southwest Florida Historical

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<p>Almost
immediately after the U.S. Navy established a base in Key West in 1823, it
became obvious that construction of a lighthouse would be essential to ensure
the safe arrival of military and commercial vessels. The first tower, completed
in 1825, was destroyed by the Great Havana Hurricane of 1846. Although work
began on the current tower in 1847, lack of funding delayed completion until
1849. This second lighthouse was originally 50-feet-tall with 13 lamps. In the
years following, the structure received a number of upgrades including the
installation of a Third Order Fresnel Lens, an extension to the tower which
allowed the light to be seen from a greater distance, the addition of Keeper’s
Quarters and outbuildings, and finally the electrification of the light (1927).
After the Coast Guard decommissioned the Key West Light in 1969, the site was
transferred to Monroe County in 1975 through the Historic Surplus Property
Program. The county leases it to the Key West Arts and Historical Society,
which operates the lighthouse and its associated buildings as the Key West
Light House and Keeper's Quarters Museum.<em></em></p>

Completed in 1849, the lighthouse is the second structure on this site. After the Coast Guard decommissioned the Key West Light in 1969, the site was transferred to Monroe County in 1975 through the Historic Surplus Property Program. The county leases it to the Key West Arts and Historical Society, which operates the lighthouse and its associated buildings as the Key West Light House and Keeper's Quarters Museum.

Southwest Florida Historical

Introduction

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