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Florida Lighthouse Makes Cut for Best in America

There’s something serene about looking at a lighthouse on the beach. Lighthouses have been a part of the world for centuries, and they’re seen as a beacon of light and…

Sunset. One Florida lighthouse has been named among the absolute best in America by Reader's Digest.

Getty Images / Vera Shestak

Getty Images / Vera Shestak

There's something serene about looking at a lighthouse on the beach. Lighthouses have been a part of the world for centuries, and they're seen as a beacon of light and guidance in a chaotic landscape. The United States has plenty of beautiful lighthouses throughout the country, and that includes in the state of Florida. In fact, one Florida lighthouse has been named among the county's best by Reader's Digest.

Best Lighthouse Spots in America

The travel experts at Reader's Digest have put together a tally of the most beautiful lighthouses in America. "Guiding ships and inspiring photographers, these stunning lighthouses across America are truly the stuff of dreams," they note in the story, adding that, "These marine landmarks span from coast to coast and should be part of every bucket list."

As for Florida, coming in at No. 3 on the tally is the Dry Tortugas Lighthouse on Loggerhead Key in Florida. Of the spot, Reader's Digest reader Valerie Bennett notes that the lighthouse's "poor air circulation and disintegrating 1858 brick mortar made for a hot and dusty climb five levels on the way to the top," but that it was totally worth it. She visited the lighthouse in October 2015 with a trip sponsored by the Florida Keys Reef Lights Foundation. It's so great to think of this spot as the No. 3 best lighthouse in the country.

So, when and where did the first lighthouse originate? It was a long time ago. The first lighthouse in recorded history, according to a history article from Great Lighthouses of Ireland, was Egypt's Pharos of Alexandria, which was constructed around 280 BC. That lighthouse actually used a big open fire for its summit as its light source. In addition to being the world's first, Great Lighthouses of Ireland notes that this lighthouse was the tallest one ever, towering at 450 feet high.

"In the ancient world, long before we had actual towers hosting any sort of lamp, mariners would use man-made piles of rocks as daymarks and the glow of volcanoes as a guide at night," Great Lighthouses of Ireland adds. "Bonfires were also used, along with more sophisticated braziers or metal baskets, which were lit and placed on headlands."

As for the Pharos of Alexandria, The Lighthouse Preservation Society notes that it was one of the Seven Wonders of the World. "It was over 440 ft tall and stood for 1500 years, until it was destroyed by an earthquake," they add. How sad that such an important piece of the world is now gone.

Anne Erickson started her radio career shortly after graduating from Michigan State University and has worked on-air in Detroit, Flint, Toledo, Lansing and beyond. As someone who absolutely loves rock, metal and alt music, she instantly fell in love with radio and hasn’t looked back. When she’s not working, Anne makes her own music with her band, Upon Wings, and she also loves cheering on her favorite Detroit and Michigan sports teams, especially Lions and MSU football. Anne is also an award-winning journalist, and her byline has run in a variety of national publications. You can also hear her weekends on WRIF.