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Key West Lighthouse was established to guide shipping at the southern end of Key West after plans for an offshore site were abandoned. The first tower, completed in 1825, was shaped by tragedy: builder Samuel B. Lincoln was likely lost at sea, keeper Michael Mabrity died in 1832, and his widow Barbara served for 32 years. The Great Havana Hurricane of 1846 destroyed the lighthouse and killed fourteen refugees in the tower, including seven of Barbara’s family. Rebuilt in 1848 and later altered to improve its visibility, the light served until 1969. The site now preserves the tower and keeper’s quarters as a museum.
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Key West, Florida · United States
