Cape Florida Lighthouse Bill Baggs State Recreation Park

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CAPE FLORIDA LIGHTHOUSE - KEY BISCAYNE FLORIDA
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Cape Florida Lighthouse overlooking the Cape Florida channel

Cape Florida lighthouse from Cape Florida channel

Cape Florida Bill Baggs State recreation area

Cape Florida Beach as seen from the Towers of Key Biscayne

Welcome to Cape Florida!
Open everyday from Sunrise to Sunset. Lighthouse tours available when they feel like giving them.
The Cape Florida State Park information phone number: 305-361-5811
When arriving at Cape Florida, also called ‘Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Recreation Area’ you will be given a pamphlet that recites some basic history regarding Cape Florida.
It reads: “ When Ponce de Leon led the first Spanish expedition in 1513 to the land he called Florida, he visited this area and named it the “Cape of Florida”. It was an area of ferocious storms and uncharted waters. Hidden sandbars and submerged reefs, were a hazard to early sailors, causing hundreds of shipwrecks along the Straits of Florida. For this reason, one of the federal governments’s first actions when Florida became a U.S. Territory in 1821, was to plan for the extension of a network of lighthouses along the east coast of Florida.

Cape Florida southeastern corner of beach

Perfect anchorage, crystal clear water, soft white beach

Cape Florida wooden bridge over sea oats at cape florida beach

Walk way leads people over dunes and protected sea oats

In 1825, the Cape Florida Lighthouse was built to serve as an important link in this network of navigational aids. The lighthouse is the oldest building in south Florida. With the outbreak of the Second Seminole War in 1835, bloody encounters between the Seminole Indians and settlers to the area spread throughout the peninsula.
By July of 1836, the threat of attack had caused the settlers to flee the mainland and take up temporary residence on one of the better-protected keys to the south. Late in the afternoon of July 23, 1836, the Cape Florida Lighthouse was attacked and severely damaged by fire. The Assistant Lighthouse Keeper miraculously survived and was rescued by the crew of a Navy schooner. His helper, however, was killed. The lighthouse remained out of service for the balance of the Second Seminole War which ended in 1842. By 1846, Congress had appropriated $23,000 for reconstruction of the lighthouse. On April 30, 1847, Cape Florida Lighthouse was “re-lit” for the first time. In 1855, the height of the structure was increased from 65 to 95 feet and a 2nd Order Fresnel lens was installed.In 1861, Confederate sympathizers removed the lamps and burners and smashed the crucial center prism so it could not be used as an aid to Union sailor who controlled the surrounding waters. The lighthouse was repaired and re-lit again in 1866.

Cape Florida beach - one of the top ten beaches in the world!

Silhouette of Cape Florida lighthouse with beach in foreground

Finally, when nearby Fowey Rocks Light was placed into service in 1878, the lens and illuminating apparatus atop the lighthouse were removed and shipped to Staten Island, NY. Named after the late Miami newspaper editor who championed this area for a state park, Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Recreation Area is part of a large barrier island ecosystem. Following Hurricane Andrew in 1992, an extensive restoration program was undertaken. The goal of the program is to restore the natural plant communities and systems historically associated with the island.
Whether it’s a relaxing day at the beach, a visit to the historic lighthouse or an afternoon of saltwater fishing, Cape Florida SRA offers visitors an outstanding, outdoor recreational experience." Now that you have paid the toll at the entrance to the Cape Florida State Park, you will simply follow the road straight to the lighthouse and to the beach parking. There are showers, restrooms, and resturants, and all types of water vehicles and land vehicles that can be rented by the hour or by the half day or by the day. We will now endeavor to take you through Cape Florida via the next few pages and along with the help of photographs of Cape Florida and the Bill Baggs State Recreation Center and introduce you to the property, and what to expect once you arrive. First things first. In order to get to Cape Florida, you will come onto Key Biscayne via the Rickenbacker Causeway and follow that until you arrive in the Village of Key Biscayne. At this point (where there are now traffic lights), the Rickenbacker Causeway magically morphs into Crandon Boulevard. Don't panic. The road is stil straight. Continue to go straight to the very end of the road. You will pass through the middle of the island of Key Biscayne going past shopping malls on the right hand side of the road, and condominiums on the left hand side of the road. The last condominium that you will see is the Towers of Key Biscayne on the left hand side of the road and on the right is a canal named 'Pines Canal' which separates the State Park from the multi-million dollar homes that are facing the state park.
Continue down the road perhaps one half of one mile and you will now be well and truly inside of the park.
The street address for Cape Florida and the Bill Baggs State Recreation Area is:
Cape Florida State Recreation
1200 Crandon Boulevard, Key Biscayne, FL., 33149
Phone: 305-361-5811
Continue into Cape Florida along with more pictures, click here>

Road to Cape Florida Lighthouse

Pines Canal Cape Florida State Park on the right

Pines Canal - Cape Florida State Park on right

Cape Florida Address	Cape Florida Guidelines	Cape Florida Lighthouse	Cape Florida Recreation
Cape Florida Beaches	Cape Florida History	Cape Florida Map	Lighthouse Tours
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