Southernmost Lighthouse.

The U.S. Navy established a naval base in Key West in 1823. Salvaging goods from sunken and wrecked vessels was a major industry in Key West because of the large number of ruined vessels and it soon became apparent that a lighthouse would be essential for the safety of commercial and military vessels navigating the shallow reef-filled waters around the island.
The Key West Lighthouse was built in 1825 to help the many ships entering the port avoid the hazardous reefs and today, you can climb the 88 iron steps to the top of the tower for a scenic look at what the lighthouse keepers watched over for more than 120 years.