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Named in honor of John Perceval, the second Earl of Egmont and member of the Irish House of Commons in 1763, Egmont Key has witnessed the passage of Spanish conquistadors and nuclear submarines as they entered Tampa Bay.
During the 1830s, the increase in shipping traffic led to more ships running aground on the sandbars surrounding Egmont Key. In response, Congress allocated funds for the construction of a lighthouse on the island. Completed in 1848, it stood as the sole beacon between St. Marks and Key West.
The Great Hurricane of 1848 wreaked havoc on the island, with tides rising 15 feet above normal and damaging the lighthouse. Subsequent storms necessitated further repairs, prompting Congress to provide funding for the reconstruction of the lightkeeper’s residence and the lighthouse itself.
By 1858, the lighthouse had been rebuilt to be resilient against any future storms.
Throughout its history, Egmont Key has served various military purposes, from accommodating captured Seminoles at the end of the Third Seminole War to hosting Union Navy troops during the Civil War. Fort Dade, established on the island in 1898 in anticipation of the Spanish-American War, remained active until 1923.
In 1926, the Tampa Bay Pilots Association established its base on Egmont Key, utilizing their navigational expertise to ensure the safe passage of ships in and out of the harbor, thus protecting the bay from potential environmental harm due to groundings or collisions.
Temporary Tent Hospital, 1898
Various military forces occupied Egmont Key at different points in time. Following the Third Seminole War, American Indian prisoners, including possibly the renowned Billy Bowlegs, were detained on the island. During the Spanish-American War, temporary hospitals were set up on Egmont Key to care for wounded soldiers.
Second Keeper’s House
After the Civil War, the lighthouse keeper and his family became the sole residents of Egmont Key until the completion of Fort Dade in 1906.
Fort Dade, circa 1920
Established in 1898 to protect the Tampa Bay area during the Spanish-American War, Fort Dade was fully constructed by 1906. The fort boasted a population of over 300 residents, featuring modern amenities like brick roads, electricity, telephones, and recreational facilities.
After its deactivation in 1923, the Tampa Bay Pilots Association took over operations on the island. Currently, the association and one staff member from the Florida State Park oversee the island.
In 1939, the Coast Guard assumed control of the lighthouse, leading to the abandonment of the keeper’s residence. Eventually, the two-story house was replaced by a one-story barracks building.
Today, Egmont Key is home solely to its caretakers. Its beaches, lighthouse, and remnants of Fort Dade beckon visitors to explore the island’s rich history.
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