Key West in Monroe County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)

Life of the Lighthouse Keepers

— Key West Lighthouse —

Photographed by Brandon D Cross, September 3, 2023

1. Life of the Lighthouse Keepers Marker

Inscription. The Key West Lighthouse Keeper and Assistant Keeper resided in this house along with each of their families. Being a lighthouse keeper was one of toughest jobs to have in the 1800s and the early 1900s. Keepers worked long grueling hours and had to be ready to put their own lives at risk in order to keep others safe. They were unable to call in sick and rarely took a day off. At every lighthouse, the primary duty of the Keeper was to ensure the lamp was lit each night and to make certain that it remained lit until the sun rose the following day, no matter what.

(captions)
The Bethal Family at the Key West Lighthouse c.1900
Stephen Whalton and Henry the Goat at the Key West Lighthouse c.1900
Keepers Quarter 1887 Scale ⅛”=1’-0”

Erected by Key West Art & Historical Society.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Communications • Waterways & Vessels. In addition, it is included in the Lighthouses series list.

Location. 24° 33.028′ N, 81° 48.037′ W. Marker is in Key West, Florida, in Monroe County. It can be reached from

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the intersection of Whitehead Street and Truman Avenue, on the left when traveling north. This marker is located within the Key West Lighthouse compound. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 938 Whitehead St, Key West FL 33040, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is on the Florida Keys.

It is also in the American South

and on the Gulf Coast.

Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

a Gulf of Mexico state,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Keeper's Quarters Cottage (here, next to this marker); Keeper's Quarters (here, next to this marker); Keeper's Quarters Indoor Bathroom (a few steps from this marker); Barbara Mabrity (within shouting distance of this marker); Lighthouse Keepers (within shouting distance of this marker); Key West Lighthouse (within shouting

Photographed by Brandon D Cross, September 3, 2023

2. Life of the Lighthouse Keepers Marker

distance of this marker); Lighthouse Tower (within shouting distance of this marker); Lighthouse & Keeper's Quarters (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Key West.

Also see . . . Key West Lighthouse. (Submitted on September 9, 2023, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida.)

Credits. This page was last revised on September 9, 2023. It was originally submitted on September 9, 2023, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. This page has been viewed 243 times since then and 15 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on September 9, 2023, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.