The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1952-10-08
BY DOROTHY RAYMER

Iron and brick and glass, and
something far more indestructible,
went into the building and the keep
ing Of the Key West Lighthouse
which still stands in active use
after l04 years. The other element
Is the stuff of human endurance.
loyalty and faithfulness to a ser
vice.
Scores of old timers in the Island
City can tell stories about the Key
West Light and even newcomers
know the statistics Of the structure
on Whitehead street nearing the
south end OF the island. They can
tell you that the tower first built
In 1886, was only 66 feet high. AS
the town grew, and the view was
threatened by surrounding build
ings, the height was raised to lis
feet from creamtinted base to
green-capped top Of the light cage.
The narrow encircling platform
girdIed with a ribbon Of metal
on the outside, is "a feet from the
earth. The inside stairway Of iron
twists its way up in dizzy
spiral with III steps. Visitors given
the privilege Of making the climb
have TO stop for breath as they as
cend. know, | tried it!
Facts and figures are interesting,
but more fascinating is the history
and the drama Of the lives Of those
connected with the lighthouse. The
human interest is like the mortar
which binds together the bricks Of
the tower: mortar which is vital,
necessary and present even now,
but less obvious.
FOLLOWING THE CLEAN
Finding out more about this part
Of the story was like following q
clue in a mystery II all began
casually when chatting with 1t.
Cmdr. Earl II. Lindsey, Key West
er by adoption but Mississippi born
He suggested that a feature on
the Key West Light would make
good reading, He also questioned
whether or not Key West could
lay claim to having the only light
house within a city's limit Il think
the one at Biloxi, oil Miss, is inside
the city. but I'm not sure. Why
don't you check with Cmdr, Henry
Haskins who was in charge of light
houses in the entire area, " Lindsey
urged.
Comdr. Haskins. c. G. retired,
although he has been Ill. courteous
IN consented. His hand shake was
firm and friendly at the door Of the
beautiful old white house where be
lives at Ga Fleming street. The
homes green shutters were closed
making the traditional lace-curtafn-
cd paror cool though the sun Out
side was Sc0rehing
We sat in white wlekerwork scrolg
chairs. priceless heirlooms now q
! hygone era. beneath two oil pain.
ingS in regal gold frames. Comdr.
HaSkins keen dark eyes caught my
look. THE portraits are my great
grandparents. be said. Now how
can | be of helpy"
sETTLES QUESTION
He settled the Biloxi question II
once. Il spent IS years in the light
house service, and the inland kes
West Light Is without dispute. The
only one within = city. in the south
east area went through three
different regimes Of the service
starting - = clerk and working
ny way 40, I'm : native q kes
Wess. born IN 1919. and lighthouse
nsrxlce has been ms hse's work
I cnly retired vhen they made me
retire. = Ne SAID faEeefally.
.sk,apt William nemegiss, noN
decea sed. VAS superintendent and
unser the civilian Feglme ! became
assistant superintendent "a Ell the
lighthouses ia the ssasheasa AREA
W. made iaSpxetsQn se1gs d eyegs