Women Who Have Made Florida History: Maria Mestre de los Dolores Andreu
Updated: Mar 20
Maria Mestre de los Dolores Andreu is perhaps best known as the first female lighthouse keeper in the state of Florida, but this was not her only notable achievement. She was also the first Hispanic-American woman to lead a federal shore installation, helping to break down barriers for multiple underrepresented groups in the sunshine state.
She was born April 25, 1801. In 1859, her Minorcan husband, Juan, passed away, leaving the St. Augustine lighthouse without a keeper. She was appointed and served until the outbreak of the Civil War, but her legacy to Florida Maritime history remains. To read more:
https://www.womenhistoryblog.com/2016/12/maria-mestre-de-los-dolores-andreu.html
https://www.lighthousefriends.com/light.asp?ID=347