Cape Florida Lighthouse Celebrates 200 Years of History

The Cape Florida Lighthouse, perched on the southern tip of Key Biscayne at Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park, will mark its 200th anniversary on December 17, 2025, highlighting its unique place in maritime and South Florida history. The lighthouse was built in 1825 to aid navigation around the Florida Reef, extending from Key Biscayne to the Florida Keys.

The Cape Florida Light, as it was called, is one of the oldest surviving lighthouses in Florida and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It has served as a beacon of freedom, from Seminole Native Americans in the 1830s seeking to remain in their Florida home to a point for formerly enslaved people escaping violence via the Salt Water Underground Railroad.

“Cape Florida is a rare place where history and environment meet,” said Neil Hurley, historian and author. “Its story includes Indigenous communities, maritime navigation, resistance, and the pursuit of freedom, and it has taken 200 years to tell it.”

As we move into the Bicentennial year, the Friends of Cape Florida will continue to host events that highlight Cape Florida’s rich history, collaborating with local artists, educational, cultural, and creative organizations.

“The Cape Florida Lighthouse is a significant maritime treasure and a record of Florida’s rich history,” said Christina Bracken, President, Friends of Cape Florida. “This landmark shares with visitors, students, and residents 200 years of important stories and events. It’s an honor for us to celebrate this bicentennial with the community.”

The 200th anniversary of the lighting of the Cape Florida Lighthouse will feature a Coast Guard
flyover, live and digital mapping presentations, and an immersive theater experience.

Cape Florida Lighthouse 200th Bicentennial Celebration
Date: Wednesday, December 17, 2025
Time: 5 – 8:30 p.m./Media Availability at 4 p.m.
Location: Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park

About the Cape Florida Lighthouse

Built in 1825, the Cape Florida Lighthouse is Miami-Dade County’s oldest surviving structure and one of Florida’s earliest coastal beacons. It remains a symbol of navigation, resilience, and the interconnected histories of people and places in South Florida.

About the Friends of Cape Florida

The Friends of Cape Florida is a nonprofit citizen support organization dedicated to supporting
Bill Baggs Florida State Park and celebrating its natural and cultural resources.