The 1847 lighthouse towers above Key West, all the more striking because it's nearly a mile inland. This was to avoid the full brunt of hurricanes common to the area, and it was built on the tallest hill on the island to help make it visible. (That gave them all of an additional 14 feet to work with.)


Keeper's quarters. Inside are some of the lenses that broadcast the light to see and a meta lighthouse-within-a-lighthouse. The huge one is a first-order lens, visible for as far as it could ever need to be. The tiny one to the right is a third-order lens, visible for a smaller distance but perfectly satisfactory for some uses. First-order lenses rotate, while third-orders are fixed. That's just how it works.


Notice the notching on the tower. As Key West development started to grow in, the tower was raised by 5 feet due to trees becoming mature. Ironically, that notch is hidden by the banyan tree in the background (of which you saw the trunk above at the lighthouse entrance). Building heights increased, and the lighthouse grew by another 20 feet, marked by the top notch.

Up to the top for some scenery.


Starting in the east-by-northeast and working my way clockwise.


Continuing clockwise. The first photo is the southernmost house in Key West (Grand Hotel), which you can see more of on the Key West buildings page linked below. The second photo is Mount Trashmore, exactly what you think it is and taller than any natural hill on the island. The third photo is a closeup of St. Mary Star of the Sea Catholic Church's twin spires.


Very close to the southernmost house, this may be the southernmost church (but I saw no such claim), Newman United Methodist. As you can make out, this is on US 1, Truman Avenue, just after it has begun. (Even if you don't like roads, you may know Route 1 begins in Key West, or you may have seen the bumper sticker for it.) Of interest is that the church is shaped like a cross when viewed from above, complete with the left wing longer than the right wing as seen here. (No political commentary.)

More Key West buildings
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