Anclote Key Lighthouse

The Anclote Key Lighthouse is located on Anclote Key, just off the coast of Tarpon Springs, Florida in the Gulf of Mexico. "Anclote" is a Spanish word which means anchor, grapnel or kedge.

Anclote Key is a beautiful, uninhabited island of about 180 acres and 2 1/2 miles long. The lighthouse became operational on September 15, 1887. It is built of a cast iron skeletal structure, which does not rust through,as do alloys such as steel.

Two families lived on the island, one the principal keeper’s and the other the assistant keepers. The lighthouse was abandoned in 1984. The island and lighthouse are owned by the state of Florida. Currently there are plans in the works to refurbish the lighthouse, with an estimated cost of $250,000.00, but no definite dates have been set.

Funeral At Sea scatters cremains offshore from the Anclote Key Lighthouse, well within view of the lighthouse and Anclote Key itself.