Cape Florida Lighthouse Celebrates 200 Years: History, Preservation, and a Beacon of Resilience

A Bicentennial Celebration

• 🥳 The Cape Florida Lighthouse marked its 200-year milestone with a grand celebration featuring champagne, performances, and a flyover.
• 📍 Located at the southern tip of Key Biscayne, this lighthouse is Miami-Dade County's oldest standing landmark.

Historical Significance and Purpose

• 🚢 Built in 1825, the lighthouse was crucial for guiding ships around the dangerous Florida Reef.
• 🏛️ Beyond navigation, it represents colonial history, serving as a place of resistance and refuge.
• 🌍 The land it stands on encompasses indigenous history, saltwater underground railroad history, and present-day Key Biscayne history.

Preservation Efforts and Current State

• 🛠️ The friends of Cape Florida are actively involved in organizing events and focusing on the lighthouse's preservation.
• ✨ The lighthouse is described as being in great shape, possibly better than it has been in decades, making it an ideal time to visit.
• 🏠 Efforts are also underway to update and preserve the adjacent keeper cottage.
• 🎨 Visitors will notice brand new paint and updated windows, reflecting ongoing maintenance and care.