Cedar Key Light

July 22, 2019
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Cedar Key Light, Seahorse Key across the harbor from Cedar Key, Florida

CEDAR KEYS (SEAHORSE KEY) LIGHT

SEAHORSE KEY, GULF OF MEXICO FLORIDA
Station Established: 1854
Year Current Tower(s) First Lit: 1854
Operational? NO
Automated? N/A
Deactivated: 1915
Foundation Materials: GRANITE PILE W/PLATFORM
Construction Materials: BRICK WITH WOODEN ADDITIONS ADDED AFTER DECOMMISSIONING
Tower Shape: HEXAGONAL
Markings/Pattern: WHITE TOWER ON DWELLING
Relationship to Other Structure: INTEGRAL
Original Lens: FOURTH ORDER FRESNEL

Historical Information

  • The light on Cedar Key was built in 1854. Cedar Key is also known as Seahorse Key. 
  • Seahorse Key is part of the Cedar Keys National Wildlife Refuge. 
  • Cedar Keys Light is the oldest standing lighthouse on Florida’s west coast.
  • The light was discontinued in 1915. It now serves as a dormitory for the Seahorse Key Marine Laboratory. 
  • The light is not open to the public.

Researched and written by Melissa Buckler, a volunteer through the Chesapeake Chapter of the U.S. Lighthouse Society.