CAPE FLORIDA LIGHTHOUSE - KEY BISCAYNE FLORIDA
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Cape Florida lighthouse from Cape Florida channel |
Cape Florida Beach as seen from the Towers of Key Biscayne |
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Open everyday from Sunrise to Sunset. Lighthouse tours at 10 and 1 Daily. The Cape Florida State Park informationphone 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. |
Perfect anchorage, crystal clear water, soft white beach |
Walk way leads people over dunes and protected sea oats |
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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 |
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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 right |
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CAPE FLORIDA LIGHTHOUSE - KEY BISCAYNE FLORIDA