Key West in Monroe County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)
The History of the Southernmost Point
Photographed by James Hulse, January 11, 2026
1. The History of the Southernmost Point Marker
Inscription.
In 1824 the United State Congress appropriated funds for lighthouses in the Florida Keys. At the lobbying of Commodore David Portor, who sailed the local waters in pursuit of pirates, the Key West Lighthouse was opened January 13, 1826, approximately 200 feet west of this location. On October 11, 1846 a hurricane demolished the lighthouse on "Whitehead Point" and destroyed the public burial grounds just to the east of the point. Steven Mallory, Collector of Customs at Key West, wrote, "The effects of the Hurricane were terrible. The graveyard of this town on a high sand ridge on the southern part of the island was entirely washed away and the dead scattered through the forest many of them lodged in tree". The lighthouse and dwellings were completely gone and no remnants found, a new lighthouse was built in 1847 on the intersection of Whitehead Street and footpath called Rocky Road, which later became Truman Avenue.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Disasters. In addition, it is included in the Lighthouses series list. A significant historical date for this entry is January 13, 1826.
Location. 24° 32.808′ N, 81° 47.767′ W.
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Marker is in Key West, Florida, in Monroe County. It is on Duval Street south of South Street, on the right when traveling south. The marker is located near the Southernmost Point of the Continental U.S.A. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 2315 Duval 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.
Credits. This page was last revised on February 7, 2026. It was originally submitted on February 6, 2026, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 39 times since then. Photos:1, 2. submitted on February 7, 2026, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.
