150-year-old Florida Keys lighthouse illuminated for first time in a decade

A 150-year-old lighthouse in the Florida Keys, which served as a vital navigational aid before the advent of modern technologies like GPS and sonar, has been re-illuminated after a decade of darkness. This restoration is part of a nationwide initiative aimed at preserving historic lighthouses that have played a significant role in guiding ships along the U.S. coastline for over a century.

The Alligator Reef Lighthouse, situated in Islamorada, has undergone a $6 million restoration effort led by a local community group. It has now been rekindled with new solar-powered lights, symbolizing the dedication to its preservation.

The history of the Alligator Lighthouse dates back to its initial lighting in 1873, and it remained operational until around 2013 when it went dark for ten years. Rob Dixon, the executive director of Save Alligator Lighthouse, which assumed responsibility for the lighthouse in late 2021, remarked, “And now our Statue of Liberty is lit once again,” highlighting the significance of this rekindling.

The lighthouse derives its name from the USS Alligator, a Navy schooner that tragically ran aground on the reef in 1822 and subsequently sank.

Alligator Lighthouse is just one of six aging lighthouses off the Florida Keys that played a crucial role in maritime navigation, helping ships avoid the perilous barrier coral reef in the region. However, the proliferation of modern satellite navigation systems rendered open-water lighthouses obsolete, leading to their disposal by the General Services Association.

To ensure the structural integrity of the Alligator Lighthouse, an extensive engineering study was conducted, taking into account the many years it endured in highly corrosive conditions. According to Dixon, this study determined that a substantial investment of six years and an estimated $5 to $6 million dollars would be required to rescue and preserve the lighthouse.

Community support for this project is robust, with fundraising efforts already underway and approximately $500,000 raised, including a notable contribution of $215,000 from the Monroe County Tourist Development Council.

For further information and to support this preservation endeavor, please visit www.savealligatorlighthouse.org.

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More about Lighthouse Restoration

• Alligator Reef Lighthouse Restoration Project
• Florida Keys History
• General Services Administration