Molasses Reef Light

Sept. 17, 2019
PRINT | E-MAIL

Molasses Reef Light, Molasses Reef, Key Largo, Florida

MOLASSES REEF LIGHT

Location: APPROXIMATELY 8 MILES SOUTHEAST OF KEY LARGO, IN 9 FEET OF WATER OFF MOLASSES REEF
Station Established: 1921
Year Current Tower(s) First Lit: 1921
Operational? NO 
Automated? 1921
Deactivated: 
Foundation Materials: SCREWPILE
Construction Materials: 
Tower Shape: SQUARE, PYRAMIDAL SKELETAL TOWER
Markings/Pattern: 
Relationship to Other Structure: 
Original Lens:

Historical Information:

  • A series of unmanned reef lights were built and lit along the Florida Keys between 1921 and 1935. 
  • These lights were marking local hazards and therefore did not need powerful lens.
  • The lights were automated from the start and did not need keepers. Keeper’s quarters were not built for these lights. 
  • Molasses Reef and Pacific Reef lights were built with the same plans. 
  • Thought the lantern has been removed, the light remains an active aid to navigation. The tower holds a NOAA Weather Station as well as a Coast Guard daymarker.

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