In 1825 the first lighthouse was built in Key West to guide ships around the beautiful but treacherous reefs that surrond the Florida Keys and Key West. The original Key West lighthouse was constructed at Whithead's Point and was destroyed by a hurricane in 1846.

The new lighthouse (right) was constucted inland on Whitehead Street. In 1894, twenty feet was added to the lighthouse so that it would be more visable to passing ships. The lighthouse was decommisoned in 1969 and opened as a tourist attraction by the Key West Historical Society in 1972.

Today thousands of vistors a year climb the lighthouse and peer over Key West and its surronding waters The lighthouse is open 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. daily .