Dry Tortugas history By Erik Silver 1825 island discovered by ponce de leon actually 1513 the computer is having trouble. 1825 lighthouse was built in garden key built to warn oncoming ships of construction and a dangerous reef 1843 fort jefferson built 1858 brick lighthouse was built in loggerhead key 1874 military abandons fort jefferson and left it to pirates Jan 4, 1935 franklin roosevelt established this monument made this park a monument under the antiquities act on january 4, 1935. 1983 monument was expanded in 1983 1988 treasure hunters blocked by goverment 1992 monument becomes a national park 1992 queen elizabeth the second visited the national park
