Egmont Key

 Mouth of Tampa Bay

 

 

In 1848, the US Congress authorized funds to construct a lighthouse on Egmont Key to safeguard the shipping entrance leading into Tampa Bay. Completed in that same year, a September hurricane, with 15 foot tides washed over the island and in 1858, the current lighthouse was reconstructed to "withstand any storm". 

By the late 1850's, at the end of the Third Seminole War, the island served as a camp for the captured Seminoles along with the Seminole chief, Billy Bowlegs. Nearly 10 years later, Egmont Key was again occupied by the Union Navy during the American Civil War as a blockade for Confederate shipping. (Source; Florida Department of Environmental Protection)

In 1898, Fort Dade was established on the island as a means to safeguard the Tampa Bay area form the imminent Spanish-American War. Construction on the fort was completed in 1906. The "city" had more than 300 residents and featured roads, electricity, telephones, a hospital, jail, movie theater, bowling alley and tennis courts.  (Source; Florida Department of Environmental Protection)

 

Today, the island of Egmont Key is designated as a National Wildlife Refuge and rests with the State Parks system as a significant Florida historical site.

 

Myself being dropped off onto the island by the Balaban's (Neve).