Fine Collectible Lighthouses

All About Collectible Lighthouses

Florida Egmont Key Lighthouse

Step into the past at the Florida Egmont Key Lighthouse. Before two-way radios and GPS, sailing vessels relied on lighthouses, round towers with flashing or rotating lights, to keep from crashing into shore, rocks, and each other. On Florida’s Gulf Coast, where millions of coves, islands, and inlets present a natural watery maze, Egmont Key’s lighthouse was instrumental in keeping ships, their cargoes, and their passengers as safe as possible.

lighthouse st. petersburg, 2

A small island at the mouth of Tampa Bay, Egmont Key was named for a British lord. After the Americans took over, residents began asking for a lighthouse on the key. Because of the island’s strategic location between the Keys and the Florida panhandle, the government thought this a good idea, and by 1846 plans were drawn up for a forty-foot brick structure, with thirteen lamps and twenty-one reflectors.

The lighthouse might not have lasted long if not for the foresight of one Mr. Walker, a local customs collector. He insisted that, because of “heavy gales of winds,” the tower be constructed one hundred feet inland from the shore. In that way, Walker reasoned, even if a hurricane were to topple the structure, those inside could escape without drowning. Walker’s persistence eventually beat down the budget-minded U.S. Treasury official who thought a foundation of sand and old shells would be sufficient; Walker insisted on heavy pilings driven straight into the ground, and he got them.

In mid-April, 1848, the Egmont Key lights were activated for the first time by lighthouse keeper Sherrod Edwards. Six months later, Walker’s wisdom was borne out when a massive hurricane left the entire island under several feet of water. When the waters began to recede, keeper Edwards rowed his family to the mainland and lost no time in handing in his resignation. Lightning strikes and other problems caused a new tower to be built in 1857. This second lighthouse stood another ninety feet inland and boasted a powerful Fresnel lens that shone from a height of eighty-six feet.

All America saw changes during the Civil War, and the Egmont Key Lighthouse was no exception. Lighthouse keeper Ricketts, a Confederate sympathizer, fled by night with the Fresnel lens in a box and all the other supplies he could remove. Makeshift and replacement lenses were used for several decades, until a new third-order Fresnel with a red sector made its debut in 1893.

Other wars left their mark on Egmont Key. At the time of the Spanish-American War, in 1898, The Army constructed Fort Dade on the island. The fort grew during subsequent years, especially during World War I, to eventually include a movie theater and a bowling alley, among other amenities. Toward the end of World War II, in 1944, the now-obsolete Fresnel lens was replaced with a rotating beacon, and the lighthouse’s upper portion was removed.

Today, Florida Egmont Key Lighthouse as well as Egmont Key are a National Wildlife Refuge and a nationally recognized Historic Site. Only a few private boats may visit the island, but these bring packs of visitors eager to see the sights, explore hiking trails, swim, beachcomb, and snorkel the shallow, warm waters, home to packs of playful dolphins. For a fun, rewarding family day trip out of Tampa, it’s hard to top the Florida Egmont Key Lighthouse.

Lighthouse Collectibles

  • Lighthouse Collectibles Home
  • Harbour Lights Lighthouses
  • Jim Shore Lighthouses
  • Lefton Lighthouses
  • Scaasis Originals Lighthouses
  • Thomas Kinkade Lighthouses
  • Alabama Lighthouses
  • Alaska Lighthouses
  • California Lighthouses
  • Connecticut Lighthouses
  • Delaware Lighthouses
  • Florida Lighthouses
    • Florida Key West Lighthouse
    • Florida Cape Canaveral Lighthouse
    • Florida St. Augustine Lighthouse
    • Florida St. Johns River Lighthouse (or Florida Mayport Lighthouse)
    • Florida Egmont Key Lighthouse
    • Florida Cape Florida Lighthouse
  • Georgia Lighthouse
  • Hawaii Lighthouses
  • Illinois Lighthouses
  • Indiana Lighthouses
  • Louisiana Lighthouses
  • Maine Lighthouses
  • Maryland Lighthouses
  • Massachusetts Lighthouses
  • Michigan Lighthouses
  • Minnesota Lighthouses
  • Mississippi Lighthouses
  • Missouri Lighthouses
  • New Hampshire Lighthouses
  • New Jersey Lighthouses
  • New York Lighthouses
  • North Carolina Lighthouses
  • Ohio Lighthouses
  • Oregon Lighthouses
  • Pennsylvania Lighthouses
  • Puerto Rico Lighthouses
  • Rhode Island Lighthouses
  • South Carolina Lighthouses
  • Texas Lighthouses
  • Vermont Lighthouses
  • Virginia Lighthouses
  • Washington Lighthouses
  • Wisconsin Lighthouses
  • Lighthouse Bathroom Décor
  • Lighthouse Bird Feeders
  • Lighthouse Bird Houses
  • Lighthouse Bookends
  • Lighthouse Books
  • Lighthouse Coasters
  • Lighthouse Curtains
  • Lighthouse Decor
  • Lighthouse Fabric
  • Lighthouse Fabric Panels
  • Lighthouse Figurines
  • Lighthouse Kitchen Curtains
  • Lighthouse Lamps
  • Lighthouse Light Sets
  • Lighthouse Lights
  • Lighthouse Night Lights
  • Lighthouse Ornaments
  • Lighthouse Pillows
  • Lighthouse Pillow Fabric.
  • Lighthouse Rugs
  • Lighthouse Shower Curtains
  • Lighthouse Statues
  • Lighthouse Wood Ornaments
  • Beach Decor
  • Brass Lighthouses
  • Light Up Lighthouses
  • Mini Lighthouses
  • Nautical Antiques
  • Nautical Decor
  • Nautical Wall Decor
  • Outdoor Nautical Decor
  • Porcelain Night Light Lighthouses
  • Stained Glass Lighthouses
  • Vintage Lighthouse Lamps
  • Vintage Lighthouse Lights
  • Wood Lighthouses
Home    Privacy Policy    Contact Us    Earnings Disclosure    Sitemap   
Copyright © 2012-2023, Fine Collectible Lighthouses, All Rights Reserved
Fine Collectible Lighthouses
MENU
  • Home
  • Sitemap
  • Scaasis Originals Lighthouses
  • Thomas Kinkade Lighthouses
  • Thomas Kinkade Lighthouse Ornaments
  • Thomas Kinkade Lighthouse Prints & Paintings
  • Thomas Kinkade Lighthouse Tabletop Christmas Tree
  • Thomas Kinkade Lighthouse Tote Bag
  • Alabama Lighthouses
  • Alaska Lighthouses
  • California Lighthouses
  • Connecticut Lighthouses
  • Delaware Lighthouses
  • Florida Lighthouses
  • Florida Egmont Key Lighthouse
  • Florida Cape Florida Lighthouse
  • Georgia Lighthouse
  • Hawaii Lighthouses
  • Illinois Lighthouses
  • Indiana Lighthouses
  • Louisiana Lighthouses
  • Maine Lighthouses
  • Maryland Lighthouses
  • Massachusetts Lighthouses
  • Michigan Lighthouses
  • Minnesota Lighthouses
  • Mississippi Lighthouses
  • Missouri Lighthouses
  • New Hampshire Lighthouses
  • New Jersey Lighthouses
  • New York Lighthouses
  • North Carolina Lighthouses
  • Ohio Lighthouses
  • Oregon Lighthouses
  • Pennsylvania Lighthouses
  • Puerto Rico Lighthouses
  • Rhode Island Lighthouses
  • Jim Shore Lighthouse Figurine
  • Jim Shore Lighthouse Ornament
  • Jim Shore Lighthouse / Coastal Snowman
  • Jim Shore Lighthouse Tapestry Afghan Throw
  • Jim Shore Lighthouse Thimble
  • Lefton Lighthouse Canister Sets & Lefton Lighthouse Cookie Jars
  • Lefton Lighthouse Figurines
  • Lefton Lighthouse Lamps
  • Lefton Lighthouse Plates
  • Lefton Lighthouse Retired
  • Harbour Lights Lighthouse Ornaments
  • Harbour Lights State Lighthouses
  • Home
  • Lighthouse Collectibles
  • Harbour Lights Lighthouses
  • Harbour Lights Anchor Bay Ships
  • Harbour Lights Lighthouses
  • Maine Little River Lighthouse
  • Maine Cape Elizabeth Lighthouse
  • Maryland Baltimore Harbor Lighthouse
  • Alabama Sand Island Lighthouse
  • Alabama Middle Bay Lighthouse
  • Alaska Five Fingers Lighthouse
  • Alaska Eldred Rock Lighthouse
  • California Los Angeles Harbor Lighthouse
  • California Alcatraz Lighthouse
  • Connecticut New London Ledge Lighthouse
  • Connecticut Mystic Seaport Lighthouse
  • Delaware Fenwick Island Lighthouse
  • Delaware Cape Henlopen Lighthouse
  • Florida Key West Lighthouse
  • Florida Cape Canaveral Lighthouse
  • Georgia St. Simons Lighthouse
  • Georgia Tybee Island Lighthouse
  • Hawaii Diamond Head Lighthouse
  • Hawaii Kilauea Lighthouse
  • Illinois Old Michigan City Lighthouse
  • Indiana Michigan City Lighthouse
  • Jim Shore Lighthouses
  • Lefton Lighthouses
  • Louisiana New Canal Lighthouse
  • Massachusetts Boston Harbor Lighthouse
  • Michigan Old Mackinac Lighthouse
  • Minnesota Spit Rock Lighthouse
  • Mississippi Round Island Lighthouse
  • Missouri Mark Twain Hannibal Lighthouse
  • New Hampshire Barnegat Lighthouse
  • New Jersey Brandywine Shoal Lighthouse
  • New York Fire Island Lighthouse
  • North Carolina Cape Lookout Lighthouse
  • Ohio Marblehead Lighthouse
  • Oregon Tillamook Rock Lighthouse
  • Pennsylvania Old Presque Isle Lighthouse
  • Rhode Island Point Judith Lighthouse
  • Scaasis Originals Lighthouses
  • South Carolina Hilton Head Lighthouse
  • Texas Galveston Lighthouse
  • Thomas Kinkade Lighthouses
  • Vermont Colchester Reef Lighthouse
  • Virginia Old Cape Henry Lighthouse
  • Washington Mukilteo Lighthouse
  • Wisconsin Eagle Bluff Lighthouse
  • Jim Shore Lighthouses
  • Jim Shore Lighthouse Angels & Jim Shore Lighthouse Snow Globes
  • Jim Shore Lighthouse Clocks & Wind Chimes
  • Jim Shore Lighthouse Diorama
  • Lefton Lighthouses
  • Lefton Barnegat Lighthouse
  • Lefton Lighthouse Bowls, Lefton Lighthouse Cups, Lefton Lighthouse Mugs, & Lefton Lighthouse Pitchers
  • Lefton Lighthouse Candle Holders
  • Illinois Chicago Harbor Lighthouse
  • Illinois Grosse Point Lighthouse
  • Louisiana Frank’s Island Lighthouse
  • Maryland Thomas Point Lighthouse
  • Massachusetts Race Point Lighthouse
  • Massachusetts Graves Lighthouse
  • Michigan Old Presque Isle Lighthouse
  • Michigan Grand Traverse Lighthouse
  • Minnesota Two Harbors Lighthouse
  • New Hampshire Whaleback Lighthouse
  • New Jersey Barnegat Lighthouse
  • New York Statue of Liberty Lighthouse
  • New York Crown Point Lighthouse
  • North Carolina Cape Hatteras Lighthouse
  • North Carolina Ocracoke Lighthouse
  • Ohio Toledo Harbor Lighthouse
  • Ohio Lorain Lighthouse
  • Oregon Coquille River Lighthouse
  • Oregon Heceta Head Lighthouse
  • Pennsylvania Horseshoe Front Range Lighthouse
  • Rhode Island Bristol Ferry Lighthouse
  • Rhode Island Southeast Block Island Lighthouse
  • Scaasis Lighthouse Figurines
  • Vintage Scaasis Lighthouses
  • South Carolina Morris Island Lighthouse
  • Texas Bolivar Point Lighthouse
  • Texas Port Isabel Lighthouse
  • Thomas Kinkade Lighthouse Figurines
  • Thomas Kinkade Lighthouse Cups and Mugs
  • Vermont Windmill Point Lighthouse
  • Virginia New Cape Henry Lighthouse
  • Washington Admiralty Head Lighthouse
  • Wisconsin Cana Island Lighthouse
  • Wisconsin Wind Point Lighthouse
  • California Battery Point Lighthouse
  • California St. George Reef Lighthouse
  • California Point Pinos Lighthouse
  • Florida St. Augustine Lighthouse
  • Florida St. Johns River Lighthouse (or Florida Mayport Lighthouse)
  • Georgia Sapelo Island Lighthouse
  • Harbour Lights Lighthouse Retired Limited Editions
  • Harbour Lights Little Lights Lighthouse
  • South Carolina Lighthouses
  • Texas Lighthouses
  • Vermont Lighthouses
  • Virginia Lighthouses
  • Washington Lighthouses
  • Wisconsin Lighthouses
  • Lighthouse Bathroom Décor
  • Lighthouse Bird Feeders
  • Lighthouse Bird Houses
  • Lighthouse Bookends
  • Lighthouse Books
  • Lighthouse Coasters
  • Lighthouse Curtains
  • Lighthouse Decor
  • Lighthouse Fabric
  • Lighthouse Fabric Panels
  • Lighthouse Figurines
  • Lighthouse Kitchen Curtains
  • Lighthouse Lamps
  • Lighthouse Light Sets
  • Lighthouse Lights
  • Lighthouse Night Lights
  • Lighthouse Ornaments
  • Lighthouse Pillows
  • Lighthouse Pillow Fabric.
  • Lighthouse Rugs
  • Lighthouse Shower Curtains
  • Lighthouse Statues
  • Lighthouse Wood Ornaments
  • Beach Decor
  • Brass Lighthouses
  • Light Up Lighthouses
  • Mini Lighthouses
  • Nautical Antiques
  • Nautical Decor
  • Nautical Wall Decor
  • Outdoor Nautical Decor
  • Porcelain Night Light Lighthouses
  • Stained Glass Lighthouses
  • Vintage Lighthouse Lamps
  • Vintage Lighthouse Lights
  • Wood Lighthouses