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Lighthouses across South Florida: Through the years

The Cape Florida Light is at Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park in Key Biscayne. The lighthouse was built in 1825 to serve as a navigational aide. There are 109 steps.

The Cape Florida Light is at Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park in Key Biscayne. The lighthouse was built in 1825 to serve as a navigational aide. There are 109 steps.  (By Roberto Gonzalez/The Orlando Sentinel)

South Florida Sun-Sentinel
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Here’s a look at some South Florida’s lighthouses: the Hillsboro Lighthouse, the Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse and the lighthouse in Key Biscayne, properly known as Cape Florida Light. In Broward, the Hillsboro Lighthouse has helped boaters since 1907. The 142-foot-high black and white octagonal structure even rose to national prominence when it appeared on a postage stamp.The famous Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse has had its share of drama. Construction in the 1850s was once was halted due to fear of Seminole attacks. And the light was off for some of the Civil War when Confederate sympathizers damaged the apparatus. And the lighthouse in Key Biscayne was built in 1825 and reconstructed in 1846, the oldest standing structure in Miami-Dade.

The lighthouse in Key Biscayne offers free guided tours with great views from the top.

The lighthouse in Key Biscayne offers free guided tours with great views from the top.  (handout/Courtesy Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park)

This is the second lighthouse erected in this spot. In 1836, Seminoles attacked the lighthouse, setting it on fire. The Cape Florida Light was extinguished from 1836 to 1846. In 1846, the contractor used the old bricks from the original tower and new bricks were also sent from Massachusetts. At a price-tag of $7,995, the lighthouse was completed and re-lit in April 1847.

This is the second lighthouse erected in this spot. In 1836, Seminoles attacked the lighthouse, setting it on fire. The Cape Florida Light was extinguished from 1836 to 1846. In 1846, the contractor used the old bricks from the original tower and new bricks were also sent from Massachusetts. At a price-tag of $7,995, the lighthouse was completed and re-lit in April 1847.  (handout/Courtesy Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park)

Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park was designated a National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom site in 2004. In the early 1820’s, enslaved Africians, runaways and Black Seminoles sought freedom on Key Biscayne, fleeing to the Bahamas. In 1821, about 300 freedom seekers bartered for passage or chose to sail Indian dugout canoes the 107 nautical miles to Andros island in the Bahamas. The construction of the lighthouse by the federal government in 1825 effectively blocked the escape route.

Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park was designated a National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom site in 2004. In the early 1820’s, enslaved Africians, runaways and Black Seminoles sought freedom on Key Biscayne, fleeing to the Bahamas. In 1821, about 300 freedom seekers bartered for passage or chose to sail Indian dugout canoes the 107 nautical miles to Andros island in the Bahamas. The construction of the lighthouse by the federal government in 1825 effectively blocked the escape route.  (By Wilfredo Lee/The AP)

In an 1855 renovation, the tower was raised to 95 feet. In 1978, the Coast Guard restored the lighthouse to active service. An automated light was installed in the tower to serve as a navigational aide, particularly to help boaters at night. The light was decommissioned by the Coast Guard in 1990 but a project involving the Dade County Historical Society in 1995-1996 restored the lighthouse. There is now a museum installed of a replica of the keeper's quarters.

In an 1855 renovation, the tower was raised to 95 feet. In 1978, the Coast Guard restored the lighthouse to active service. An automated light was installed in the tower to serve as a navigational aide, particularly to help boaters at night. The light was decommissioned by the Coast Guard in 1990 but a project involving the Dade County Historical Society in 1995-1996 restored the lighthouse. There is now a museum installed of a replica of the keeper’s quarters.  (handout/Courtesy Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park)

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