This location had a terrible beginning. The first Lighthouse constructed was a 60 foot brick tower in 1827. After the first keeper died in 1830 his widow took over the job.   In 1844 a hurricane eroded part of the island destroying the Keeper’s house and damaging the seawall.       Then the 1846 Havana hurricane toppled the tower killing the light keeper and five others.  A 40-ton ship called the the Honey was acquired and outfitted as a light ship to serve at Sand Key until a new lighthouse could be built.

Again Civil War General George Meade was placed in charge of construction and this lighthouse was the first to use his hydraulic lamp design. The screw pile foundation and open framework tower allowed the lighthouse to survive later hurricanes.  A Fresnel lens repeated a cycle of a fixed white light for one minute, a partial eclipse of 25 seconds, and a white flash of 10 seconds and then another partial eclipse of 25 seconds.

One of the most important lights on the US Coast was lighted on July 20th, 1853.

The famed Sand Key Lighthouse reef is brimming with tropical fish, coral and a ever-changing beach that circles the lighthouse.   One of the healthiest reefs around with schools of tropical fish is popular with divers. Once on the reef you’re not allowed to take marine life of any kind whether it be live shells, spearfishing, fishing or lobstering.

It’s located about 6 nautical miles southwest of Key West.  Locals and visitors alike can visit the reef by private boat or tour.

And it’s for sale right now.