An Islamorada community group that is spending $6 million to restore and preserve the Alligator Reef Lighthouse turned on its new solar-powered lights on Saturday to remind the public about the effort.
“Alligator Lighthouse was lit in 1873 and it stayed lit until about 2013, and then it went dark for 10 years,” said Rob Dixon, the executive director of Save Alligator Lighthouse, which took over the lighthouse's title in late 2021.
But modern-day satellite navigation made open-water lighthouses obsolete and such structures are being disposed of by the General Services Association.
Political Cartoons View All 1202 ImagesA detailed engineering study of Alligator Lighthouse was completed to determine stabilization needs after many years in highly corrosive conditions.
Dixon said an engineering study determined that it will take six years and $5 million to $6 million dollars to save the Alligator Lighthouse.
Persons:
”, Rob Dixon, Dixon, ___
Organizations:
Navy, General Services Association, Tourist Development
Locations:
Fla, Florida, Monroe