History

The lighthouse at the southern end of Anclote Key has served as a beacon to ships for many years. President Grover Cleveland declared the island a lighthouse reservation in 1886.

The lighthouse was built and began operation on September 15, 1887. Today the lighthouse is maintained as a historic structure.

Degraded Lighthouse

When the lighthouse was decommissioned in 1984, vandals had their way with this old island sentry, defacing it with graffiti. The structure's finish began to oxidize in the salty air of the island, leading to further destruction of the lighthouse.

In the early 1990s, Florida Park Service staff, along with the Gulf Island Alliance, reconstructed the lighthouse and returned it to its original state.

Today, a park ranger resides on the island watching over the old sentinel of the sea, just as it has watched over the countless vessels crossing its path.