Alligator Reef Light
It is listed as number 980 in the USCG light lists.
Historical information
The name honors the U.S. Navy schooner Alligator, part of the U. S. Navy Anti-Piracy Squadron that had recently been established in Key West, which went aground at this location in 1822. The Alligator was blown up after removing as much as possible from it to prevent it from being used by pirates. Countless vessels have also sunk here on the reef's jagged coral. This lighthouse cost $185,000 to build at that time. To support the tower, a 2,000 lb (900 kg) hammer was used to drive the 12 inches (300 mm) iron pilings ten feet (3.0 m) into the coral.
Current situation
On February 1, 2019, it was announced that the lighthouse would be given away freely to any government agencies, educational agencies, non-profit corporations, or any community development organizations who wanted to use it for "educational, park, recreational, cultural or historic preservation purposes." This is in accordance with the National Historic Lighthouse Preservation Act.
Friends of the Pool, a community organization based in Islamorada, was granted title to the lighthouse in 2021. The group changed its name to Save Alligator Lighthouse and raised $6 million to restore the lighthouse. Solar-powered lights were installed and illuminated in October 2023.
See also
References
- ^ Rowlett, Russ (July 25, 2017). "Lighthouses of the United States: Eastern Florida and the Keys". The Lighthouse Directory. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Retrieved June 27, 2016.
- ^ "Historic Light Station Information and Photography Florida". United States Coast Guard. December 21, 2016. Archived from the original on May 19, 2017. Retrieved June 27, 2016.
- ^ Light List, Volumes 1-7. United States Coast Guard.
- ^ Silk, Robert (September 10, 2014). "Dying of the light on Alligator Reef". Florida Keys News. Archived from the original on 2014-09-10. Retrieved 2014-09-10.
- ^ "Notice of Availability: Alligator Reef Light Station". United States General Services Administration. February 1, 2019. Archived from the original on March 1, 2019.
- ^ "Group plans to restore historic Florida Keys lighthouse". AP News. September 8, 2021.
- ^ "150-year-old Florida Keys lighthouse illuminated for first time in a decade". AP News. October 8, 2023.
Bibliography
- "Historic Light Station Information and Photography: Florida". United States Coast Guard Historian's Office. Archived from the original on 2017-05-01. Retrieved June 29, 2008.
- Dean, Love (1982). Reef Lights: Sea swept Lighthouses of the Florida Keys. Key West, Florida: The Historic Key West Preservation Board. ISBN 0-943528-03-8.
External links
- Florida Keys Reef Lights Foundation - FKRLF Archived 2008-05-15 at the Wayback Machine