Historic Lighthouses Of The Florida Keys

The Florida Keys possess a staggering wealth of lighthouses--nine in all, from the remote iron light at Fowey Rocks to classic brick structures at Key West and Loggerhead Key. In the 1820s, the US government began constructing lighthouses to aid mariners navigating the dangerous Florida Reef. While some of the original lights were subsequently destroyed in dramatic circumstances, most that followed, including Carysfort Reef, Alligator Reef, Sombrero Key, Sand Key, and American Shoal, survived intense tropical weather and even major hurricanes. Among the lighthouse keepers were remarkable women who succeeded in a profession usually reserved for men.

An updated historical account of the Florida Keys lighthouses full of history and legend.

An illustrated history of Key West, Florida, paired with histories of the local companies.

Includes approximately 40 lighthouses, maps, and details on how to visit them.

A collection of the histories of Florida's light stations by different authors, each an authority on a particular lighthouse, this book is chock-full of information on dates of construction and operation, foundation materials, lighting equipment, and more. Complete directions to each lighthouse site are included, as well as names, addresses, phone numbers, e-mail addresses, websites of lighthouse organizations. Preface by Wayne Wheeler, president of the United States Lighthouse Society, as well as a full glossary, bibliography, and index.

Since the arrival of Ponce de Leon in the 1500s, the Florida Keys have evolved from a dense, nearly impenetrable jungle full of bears, pumas, snakes, alligators and crocodiles into America's Caribbean islands. And the fish in the region have made the Keys one of the nation's favorite playgrounds for anglers. The Keys are home to more saltwater fishing records than any other angling destination in the world and offer sportsmen an array of amazing fish, from tarpon and Spanish mackerel to mahi-mahi and bonefish. U.S. presidents, celebrities and the world's greatest fishermen and women have cruised the waters of South Florida. Join author Bob T. Epstein on a journey through the storied history of fishing in the Florida Keys.