Lighthouse-P-T
Panama Canal
From the earliest years of the Spanish exploration, mariners envisioned a canal in Central America, connecting the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. Architects from around the world attempted to realize the dream of an inland waterway during the 19th Century, but met with incredible challenges and financial hindrances. For twenty years, the French labored on the Isthmus of Panama, attempting to complete the marvel that many consider the eighth Wonder of the World. In 1903, the United States of America signed a treaty with the Republic of Panama, allowing the United States to build and operate the Canal. After ten years and $387 million, the inaugural transit of the SS Ancon in 1914 marked the first successful journey through the 50-mile maze and began the worlds thoroughfare at the Panama Canal. This was of great significance to world commerce as the Canal saved mariners more than3,000 miles, versus the shortest alternative all-water route. Builders planned for several navigational aids along the route to guide ships safely through the nine-hour trek. Twenty-eight operational lighthouses line the route, marking dangerous headlands and rocky islands. Architects avoided the use of steel and wood in the lighthouse construction whenever possible because of their rapid deterioration in the tropical climate. Concrete became the material of choice and great care was taken in making the conical towers as earthquake-proof as possible. All of the beacons have solar sensors and are connected and operated from switches in the Gatun Locks. The Gatun Locks Lighthouse (officially named the Upper Southbound Range Light) and the Mira Flores Locks Lighthouse (officially the Rear Northbound Balboa Reach) demonstrate the ornate workmanship devoted to the sentinels that are within view of ships or the railroad. The unique designs and vibrant contrasting colors render these towers unforgettable to those who have passed nearby. On December 31, 1999, as required by treaty, the United States will transfer the ownership of the Canal to the Republic of Panama. To celebrate the passing of the baton to our gracious hosts in Panama, we present this commemorative matched set.
Presque Isle Light Station
Southeast Block Island Lighthouse
Haig Point
Hilton Head (Harbour Town)
Hunting Island
Sea Pines (Hilton Head)
Morris Island (Then)
Point Judith
Ida Lewis Rock Light (Lime Rock)
La Coruna
Cape Agulhas
Bolivar Point Light
Port Isabel Lighthouse
Pennsylvania
We have met our enemy and they are ours! With these famous words, written by Commodore Oliver H. Perry during the early days of the War of1812, the United States reestablished its rights to travel unimpeded on Lake Erie and other Great Lakes. Many of the American ships that fought during the Battle of Lake Erie were built at the old French fort of Presque Isle, in Erie, Pennsylvania, where the brave young commander made his headquarters. Lake Erie was discovered by the French explorer, Louis Joliet, in 1699.With abundant wildlife populating its tree-lined shores, fur traders flocked to the virgin territory. In 1853, a French military expedition built Fort de la Presque Isle on the peninsula that forms Erie's harbor. Their presence was short-lived. Six years later, they abandoned the fort, allowing British forces to occupy the structure. In 1763, a confederacy of Native American tribes, led by Chief Pontiac, drove the British away and reduced the fort to rubble. After their victory in the war for Independence, the Americans were somehow able to win the confidence of the native population, despite the failure of the French and British. In1795, a permanent white settlement was established in Erie, and the fort was rebuilt. From early on, Lake Erie has proven to be a blessing, as well as serious challenge to navigators. Because of its relatively shallow depth, dangerous ground swells are common during stormy weather. In addition, the lake is closed to shipping by ice from mid-December to late March. Despite these obstacles, great quantities of cargo, particularly coal andiron ore, are carried on Lake Erie, an integral part of the Saint Lawrence Seaway system. In 1819, the government placed the first of several lighthouses on Presque Isle, at the entrance to the Bay. Three decades later, a pier light was established at Erie Harbor. Although officials were generally satisfied with the performance of the two harbor lights, they felt that some mariners on the lake were not being adequately serviced. In 1873, a fifty-seven foot tower was raised on the north shore of the peninsula. A powerful fourth-order Fresnel lens was installed and placed into service on the 12th of July. To avoid confusion with Presque Isles original beacon, the old sentinel was renamed Erie Light Station. The new light was christened Presque Isle Light Station. Today, the city of Erie is still an important center of commerce for the Great Lakes. Presque Isle Light Station, although long since automated, still actively serves the mariners of Lake Erie. It now resides on the property of Presque Isle State Park. Erie is quite proud of its nautical heritage. A monument and museum honors the memory of its hero, Commodore Oliver Perry. One of Erie's greatest treasures is the restored Niagara, Perry's flagship in his triumphant battle to preserve American freedom.
Rhode Island
For more than 200 years, mariners have taken the long way around Block Island. Located 10 miles south of the Rhode Island mainland, this beautiful island is surrounded by submerged boulders and sandy shoals. During one 20 year period in the early part of the 19th century, thirty-four schooners, fifteen sloops, eight brigs, and two larger ships met their doom on Block Island. In response to these devastating losses, the Lighthouse Service constructed several stations on the six mile long island. On the north shore, lighthouses were built and rebuilt four times on an area known as Sandy Point. Rapidly shifting sands proved to be as problematic as the ocean, with erosion constantly threatening any new structure. Erosion would later present serious challenges for the Southeast Light as well. The man most likely responsible for establishment of Southeast Light waste colorful and energetic Nicholas Ball. A dedicated islander who found his fortune during the California Gold Rush, Mr. Ball first lobbied for construction of a breakwater at Old Harbor, and later for a lighthouse. Erected high on the Mohegan Bluffs, Southeast Block Island Light was first illuminated on February 1st, 1875. These dramatic cliffs were named after an invading war party of Long Island Mohegan Indians, who in 1590tried to challenge the local natives. The antagonists were no match for the hardy Block Island tribe, however, who promptly drove them back over the bluffs into the ocean below. Southeast Block Island Light is one of our nation's most recognizable stations. A 67-foot octagonal tower is attached to a Gothic style keepers duplex. The entire structure is constructed of red brick. Combining the elevation of the tower with the height of the cliffs, the lantern is able to throw out its flashing beacon from 201 feet above the water; the highest in New England. Although no longer active, the enormous first-order rotating Fresnel lens is the only one of its kind in the United States sporting a green light. Under the right conditions, it can be seen from 35 miles away. After a visit by President Ulysses S. Grant during the first year of the lights operation , Southeast Light, along with the island in general, became a popular tourist destination. Unfortunately, ships continued to wreck on the dangerous shoals, despite the presence of the two lighthouses. When Southeast Light converted to electricity in 1928, the light was changed from a fixed white 13,000 candlepower to its familiar flashing green 50,000 candlepower. In 1990, the Coast Guard finally turned off the emerald beacon of Southeast Light, replacing it with a nearby automated light tower. Erosion of Mohegan Bluff has proved to be an enormous problem for the survival of this important landmark. Were it not for the effort of U.S.Lighthouse Society Member, Dr. Gerry Abbott, along with a local foundation, Southeast Light would have fallen into the sea. In 1993,after receiving matching funds from the U.S. Congress, the entire structure was moved 245 feet away from the encroaching cliffs. A visit to this charming Victorian Island is well worth the long ferry ride from New London, Connecticut or Galilee, Rhode Island. The beautiful old lighthouse, usually covered with an abundance of seagulls, is easily accessible by car, bicycle, or foot
South Carolina
Sections of the foundation of the original plantation house were reused in the construction of the Haig Point Lighthouse. Built in 1873, this lighthouse was the rear range light of a double light system. It was also the living quarters of the keeper. The front range light was farther south along the Calibogue Sound and could be moved on rails to accommodate the constantly drifting shoals. Ships determined their position by the alignment of these two lights.
By 1895, the lighthouse complex included a boathouse and landing, a wharft, the Wick House for fuel storage, and a 6,000-gallon cistern. The light was manned continuously from 1873 until 1924 when other navigational systems made it unnecessary. The lighthouse has withstood northeast gales, tornadoes, hurricanes and earthquakes. In 1986 it was restored to it's turn-of-the-century design, and the United States Coast Guard granted permission to relight this beacon over Calibogue Sound.
South Carolina
Although not yet considered a historic lighthouse, Hilton Head is an important beacon in that it is seen and remembered by hundreds of thousands of people that visit the lovely area known as Hilton Head, South Carolina. Sailors from all over the world look for its light marking the tranquil waters of Harbourtown. Its unusual tower shape, distinguished by wide bands of red and white, makes a distinctive day mark for sailors and land lubbers alike. An older light, put into service in 1881, still stands in Hilton Head. Although on private property and not open to the public, it speaks of heroism above and beyond the call of duty. History tells us of Keeper Adam Fripp and his twenty-year-old daughter, Caroline, manning the light together during a hurricane in 1898. During the storm, Keeper Fripp suffered a fatal heart attack, and with his last breath begged his daughter to relight the lamps and keep the flame, which she did not only for the rest of that tragic night, but for the worst days of the storm. Caroline never recovered from her ordeal, and joined her father in three weeks time. Our thanks to the brave keepers who gave so selflessly for others.
South Carolina
Just off the southern coast of South Carolina lies a windswept, wooded barrier island. A protected wildlife preserve and park, Hunting Island remains much the same as it did a century ago. In 1854, Congress authorized funding for a lighthouse on the north end of the island. Replacing a nearby lightship, it was hoped that the new station would guide mariners away from the deadly shoals on St. Helena Sound. Four years later, the beacon on Hunting Island became operational. Established a quarter mile from the pounding surf, the new light had a nautical range of 17 miles. In 1862, at the height of the Civil War, it is believed that Confederate forces destroyed the 95-foot tower on Hunting Island. The truth may never be down in its entirety. Seven years after the war, a land survey discovered that 150 acres on the north end of the island had been washed into the sea. To prevent future disasters from man or nature, the Lighthouse Board made a prudent, albeit expensive, decision to build the next tower on Hunting Island from prefabricated, cast-iron plates. At a cost of $102,000, an absolute fortune in its day, the 136-foot brick-lined sentinel was built to last. Completed in 1875, the new station also included a2-and-a-half-story wood frame keepers a dwelling, two outbuildings and a brick oil house. In 1889, erosion along the shoreline forced officials to dismantle the tower, move it 1 and one-quarter miles inland and reassemble the unbolted sections. One year later, the keepers a quarters and other buildings joined the tower. Powered by an incandescent oil vapor lamp, the second-order Fresnel lens could focus its beam for 18 nautical miles. Byte early 1930s, it became clear that modern navigational aids had rendered the light station obsolete. Officials darkened the beacon on June 16, 1933. The keepers a cottage was later demolished. For the next half century, the lighthouse tower was essentially abandoned. Vandals destroyed most of the windows, painted graffiti throughout the interior, and worse yet, mutilated the classic Fresneloptic. Finally, in 1992, the State of South Carolina came to the rescue. Over the next year or so, the entire tower was renovated and given a facelift. Today, visitors to Hunting Island State Park can visit this beautiful, historic sentinel and climb the cast iron stairway.
South Carolina
At the southwestern point of beautiful Hilton Head Island lies the picturesque resort village of Harbour Town. Situated at the entrance tithe harbor is a fascinating red and white lighthouse known by visitors and sailors throughout the world. Established at Sea Pines Plantation in1970, in commemoration of the Heritage Golf Tournament, the light at Harbour Town is Americas first privately funded sentinel since 1817.Flashing its white light every 2.5 seconds from a height of 93 feet, the hexagonal shaped tower serves watercraft on the Calibogue Sound and Intracoastal Waterway. Although not officially recognized as a U.S.lighthouse, Harbour Town Light has become an important symbol to many during its brief history. An earlier lighthouse, established in 1881 on present day Palmetto Dunes, is no longer active. However, no history of Hilton Head Island would be complete without mention of the Rear Range Light. In 1898, as a powerful hurricane swept towards the South Carolina coastline, keeper Adam Fripp,a widower, climbed the 112 steps to the lantern room as fast as he was able. His twenty year old daughter, Caroline, stood faithfully by his side as he endeavored to keep the lamps lit. As the storm reached frenzied peak, a strong gust of wind blew out the glass shielding the lamp wicks. Just as the flames were being extinguished, the keeper suffered a fatal heart attack. In his last moments, he begged Caroline to relight the lamps. Obeying his dying request, she kept the lamps burning all through the night and several nights thereafter. Within three weeks of the terrible storm, Caroline joined her father. Historians differ on the details. Some say she drowned, others say the brave young girl died from the strain of her tremendous ordeal. Over the past century, local residents, as well as visitors to the island, have reported spectral sightings of a girl with a flowing blue dress walking near the lighthouse. Sometimes on a still night, even years after the lighthouse was abandoned, the peace has suddenly been broken by mysterious sounds of wailing and sobbing near the old sentinel. Today, Hilton Head Rear Range Light is in private hands and visible only by boat or special permit. The keepers a dwellings have been removed and relocated in the business district of Harbour Town. Visitors may tour these historic buildings and catch a glimpse of the islands colorful past. Hilton Heads newest lighthouse, the modern station at Sea Pines Plantation, is open to the public throughout the year. Take a moment to climb the stairs and look out over the harbor. The view, especially at dusk, is absolutely breathtaking.
South Carolina
At the close of the Civil War, coastal navigational aids were virtually nonexistent from Virginia to Texas. As their forbearers had done in the north during the Revolutionary War, Confederate officials dismantled nearly every lighthouse on the South Atlantic and Gulf coasts. Some lighthouse merely had their Fresnel lens and lighting apparatus removed. Others, such as the historic station in Charleston, did not far as well. A fierce battle for control of Battery Wagner reduced the lighthouse on Morris Island to rubble. By the time Union forces wrested control of Charleston in February 1865,the harbor had undergone radical changes. Previously charted channels had completely disappeared, while many new ones had formed. Navigation into Charleston Harbor became a perilous undertaking. To alleviate the danger to mariners, the Lighthouse Board established several temporary lights. In 1874, construction of a new tower began in earnest a short distance from the original station. Determined to give the new station a solid foundation, officials fortified the base with sturdy, wooden piles, some driven 50 feet into the ground. On top of the piles, workers laid a network of 12-inch thick timbers and encased the grillage in concrete. Another eight feet of concrete formed the platform for a 161-foot brick tower. Next to the tower, workers built a handsome Italianate keepers cottage, creating one of the most strikingly beautiful lighthouses in the country. A revolving first-order Fresnel lens in the lantern room was lighted on October 1, 1876, flashing its welcome beacon from 155 feet above sea level. Nine years after the new station was established, a fierce hurricane pummeled Charleston, followed a year later by an earthquake. Both events caused significant damage to the tower and lens. Workers quickly repaired cracks in the masonry and placed the sentinel back into service. Over the next several years, a small community sprang up on Morris Island and two nearby islands, with 15 buildings, including three keepers a dwellings and one-room schoolhouse. During this period, the tower was painted with distinctive black-and-white striping to increase its effectiveness as a day mark. To safeguard the island, officials ordered the construction of jetties in1896, but the plan back fired, causing the complete disintegration of the shoals that protect the island from the sea. Over the last century, the island has gradually eroded, leaving the tower totally surrounded by water. In 1962, the Coast Guard replaced Morris Island Light with modern station on Sullivan Island. Thanks to efforts by the Charleston Preservation Society, the federal government reconsidered a decision to demolish the structure. In 1982,Morris Island light was placed on the National Register of Historic Places. Today, the houses are gone, and the old tower lists slightly to one side, a sad remnant of its former splendor. As of this writing, the base of the tower is completely covered by water at all times, even at low tide. Sun, wind, and rain also have taken their toll on the structure, wearing off layers of pain. Where jet black stripes once guided mariners by day, only brick remains. The Charleston County Park Commission is trying to obtain the lighthouse from its current private owner so that this important symbol of our heritage will be preserved forever. (Update 06/13/01) Save The Light Inc. bought the lighthouse from the private owner for $75,000 and then they sold it to the state for $1.00. The state has now Leased the lighthouse back to Save The Light Inc. for $1.00 per year in a 99 year lease arrangement. Save The Light Inc. is currently in the process of raising money to restore the Light. They are in need of a couple of million dollars. Please take a look at their site to see what you can do to help save this historically priceless light. (
Rhode Island
Sharing many of the same ominous characteristics as the waters off of Cape Hatteras, the shoals near Point Judith are often referred to as the graveyard of the Atlantic. This deadly point, which stretches its rocky tentacles for several miles into the ocean, has claimed countless hips and lives since European explorers first landed here. Situated at the southeast corner of Rhode Island, Point Judith marks the western entrance to Narragansett Bay and the eastern entrance to Block Island Sound. Legend has it that the point was named for the daughter of a near-sighted ship's captain. Unable to distinguish landmarks, he would sometimes cry out to his daughter, point, Judy! a While we may never learn the truth of this story, the danger imposed to mariners is no laughing matter. During the American Revolution, temporary lights were maintained here to steer ships away from impending disaster. In 1809, William Eller, one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence, convinced the federal government to purchase property on Point Judith for a lighthouse. A year later, a contractor was hired to build a crude wooden structure here. After only six years, the tower was completely destroyed in a storm. A35-foot replacement tower, this one made of rough stone and cement, fared somewhat better, its revolving optic providing a welcome beacon for weary and frightened mariners. In 1857, funding was finally authorized to erect the present station. Constructed of solid granite, the 51-foot octagonal tower has been able to withstand the terrible nor'easters that pound the area. Rising 65 feet above sea level, its fourth-order Fresnel lens is able to focus its powerful light up to sixteen miles. Every fifteen seconds, the light occults, or goes dark momentarily. To aid mariners navigating by daylight, the upper half of the tower is painted brown. Although mariners are no doubt grateful for the presence of Point Judith Light, ships have continued to flounder on these deadly shoals. Numerous vessels, even in recent years, have been lost on these unforgiving rocks. In order to aid shipwrecked sailors, a life saving station, which continues to operate to this day, was established on the point in 1875.During the Second World War, two days before the Allies made peace with Germany, personnel at Point Judith assisted in the dramatic rescue of torpedoed steamship. In 1954, the beacon at Point Judith was automated. Today, this historic sentinel is part of an active Coast Guard station. It remains a vitally important navigational aid.
Rhode Island
Tended by Ida Lewis from 1857 to 1911On a blustery day in 1857, four young men set out in a small sailboat in Newport Harbor, Rhode Island. In an effort to tease and frighten his three companions, one of the boys climbed up the mast and began to rock the boat to and fro. It was a decidedly foolish thing to do, as the small vessel quickly capsized. Unable to swim, the four clung to the hull of the boat and began to shout for their very lives. A young keeper's daughter, Ida Lewis, from nearby Lime Rock Light, heard the desperate pleas and rowed to their rescue. Keeping a cool head, lest she allow the hysterical boys to drag her overboard, the fifteen-year-old girl pulled each one of them over the stern of her boat and returned them to safety. Thus began the lifesaving career of one of Americas most beloved light keepers. Idawalley Dorado Lewis was born in Newport in 1842. Ida, as she came to be known, was the eldest daughter of Captain Hosea Lewis. In 1853, when she was 11 years old, her father was appointed keeper of a new light station on Lime Rock Island. Originally just a simple lantern and rough shod, the light was located 200 yards off shore from Newport Harbor. In1857, a 13-foot granite tower was constructed to house a new sixth-order Fresnel lens. Connected to the new tower was a plain, two-story dwelling, enabling the Lewis to move onto the island. A few months later, Hosea Lewis suffered a crippling stroke. Now, in addition to domestic chores and caring for a seriously ill sister, Ida took over most of the light keeping duties. This included refilling the lamp oil at sundown and midnight, trimming the wick, polishing the reflectors, and extinguishing the light at dawn. Ida was also given the daily chore of rowing her siblings to and from school, as well as shopping for needed supplies. Although she never found time to complete a formal education, Ida did become an expert tower, a skill that would prove quite valuable in the coming years. Over the next few years, Ida grew more adept in her lifesaving skills. Numerous rescues earned her national notoriety as the heroine of Limerick's A daring rescue of two drowning sailors in a winter gale, in March1869, is immortalized in a National Archives painting. Although sick with a severe cold, she jumped into her lifeboat with her stocking feet, saving the men with only moments to spare. Soon after that dramatic event, articles about Ida appeared in the New York Tribune, Harper's Weekly, and Leslie's magazine. Awards and gifts were presented to her by several foundations. On July 4th, the town of Newport held a parade in her honor, followed by the presentation of a beautiful mahogany rowboat. A short time later, President Ulysses S. Grant paid a visit to Lime Rock, deeply impressed by this brave, unassuming woman. Ida received letters from admirers throughout the country, including numerous marriage proposals. In 1870, she married William Wilson, a Connecticut fisherman. A restless soul, Wilson took to sea after just two years, and Ida never remarried. Ida continued to care for the light until her fathers death in 1872. As was the custom, her mother was appointed keeper, although Ida assumed full responsibility. In 1879, Congress officially gave Ida the title and salary of Keeper. She continued steadfast in her post until her death in1911. During her remarkable career, she is credited with saving at least18 lives, although it may have been as many as 25. Her last recorded rescue occurred when she was 63 years old. Lime Rock Light was officially renamed Ida Lewis Rock Light in 1924, the only such honor ever bestowed a keeper. Automated in 1927 and deactivated in 1963, the sentinel is now owned and operated by the Ida Lewis Yacht Club.
Spain
Dedicated to Marte Augustus, Cayo Servio Lupo, architect of Aemenium in Lusitania, in accordance with his oath. These words, translated from the original Latin, are engraved in a small rock at the foot of one of the worlds most remarkable lighthouses, LaCoruna. Constructed in the second century, during the Trojan period, the Tower of Hercules is the worlds oldest active light station. While it is clear that portions of the current tower are at least 1800 years old, there is evidence that an earlier navigation aid may have predated the sentinel by two-hundred years, at the same location. At least one early historian writes of Julius Caesar's fleet weighting anchor near the lighthouse and making repairs. La Coruna, located in the province of Galician in the northwestern corner of Spain, was apparently an important staging area for Rome's invasion of Gaul.Legend has it that in ancient times Hercules and the Giant Gerion fought a great battle at the site of the lighthouse. After defeating the Giant, Hercules had the loser's bones buried in the foundation of the tower he had built there. There may have been a number of towers rebuilt on the same location over the past three thousand years. There is little written about the light during the first millennium, although it is referred to in maps and historical documents. In all likelihood, the tower served as the core of a larger building which may have included a ramp large enough to accommodate animals used to transport fuel to the top of the tower. In Roman times, it is likely that the beacon consisted of an open fire, probably held in a brazier. Conflicts during the 15th and 16th centuries, along with attacks by Francis Drake, nearly destroyed the station. Although small efforts were made to repair the tower, substantial restoration did not take place until the late 18th century, during the reign of Charles III. A stairway was built inside the tower, the outer walls were covered with a two feet layer of granite, and a new lantern was placed in the upper section of the tower. The end result is the magnificent tower that remains today. Externally, none of the original Roman work is evident, but it appears internally in the tower. In 1847, the lighthouse was modernized with a revolving system of reflectors and lenses. Today, the lantern room is equipped with a state-of-the-art catadioptric optic and a 1,500-watt bulb. Rising to a focal plane of 348 feet, the flashing white light can be seen for 23nautical miles. Like many landmarks in this beautiful coastal city, the lighthouse at La Coruna is a wonderful fusion of the old and the new.
South Africa
From Cape Cross to Cape St. Lucia, the 2,250-mile South African coastline is among the most treacherous in the world. Dangerous seas, unpredictable currents, dense fogs and rocky shoals have caused thousands of vessels to founder along these spectacular shores.
South Africa's first lighted aid was built on Robben Island in 1658. Interestingly, Robben Island is also the place where Nelson Mandela was incarcerated for many years. The first permanent light station in South Africa was established in 1824. Cape Agulhas was the second. Situated at the southernmost tip of the African continent, Portuguese explorers called this place Agulhas, meaning "Cape of Needle", in reference to their compass needles acting strangely when their ships rounded the cape. More ships have met a tragic end near this place than at any other location along South Africa's coastline.
In response to the desperate need for a navigational aid at Cape Agulhas, the Cape Colonial Government authorized Lt. Colonel C. C. Mitchell to design a lighthouse here in the late 1840s. With a construction cost of 15,871, the 81-foot limestone tower was a technical marvel in its day. On March 1, 1849, the beacon was displayed for the first time. Illuminated by a first-order catadioptric lens, the fixed white light was equivalent to 4,500 candles.
In 1915, the aging optic was replaced by a state-of-the-art revolving Fresnel lens. Punctuated with a single white flash every four seconds, the beacon was more than 100 times as powerful as the original light. The introduction of electricity in 1936 further increased the intensity of the light. Three years later, a radio signal beacon was added to the station.
Due to decomposition of the limestone structure, officials declared the station unsafe in 1962. Six years later, the beacon was deactivated and replaced by a modern skeletal tower. In 1983, funds were appropriated to restore the historic lighthouse. On March 25, 1988, the lighthouse was officially recommissioned as a navigation aid and named a national monument. Today, in addition to its maritime duties, the station also serves as a fascinating lighthouse museum, the first of its kind on the African continent.
Near Galveston, Texas 1852
As he looked out over the turbulent waters of the Gulf of Mexico on September 7th, 1900, Keeper Harry Claiborne could sense something ominous in the air. Within 24 hours, Bolivar Point Light would be given its ultimate test - facing the worst hurricane to hit the Texas coast in more than a century. By the time the fierce storm was over, one in five resident of the nearby resort city of Galveston - more than 8.000 people - would perish. For more than 100 fortunate people, although foolish to have ignored warning to seek higher ground, Bolivar Point Light would become a safe haven until the storm clouds blew over. Keeper Claiborne and the dozens of refugees huddled inside would be forever grateful that the builders had the foresight to construct the tower with an iron shell.
Built in 1852, the original lighthouse was erected at the southern tip of Bolivar Peninsula, across the bay from the bustling port of Galveston. Although the innovative cast iron tower raised a lantern to more than 100 feet above sea level, the light beam was rather ineffective. In 1857 the tower was raised an additional 24 feet and fitted with a new third order Fresnel lens. In the course of it's brief, but colorful history, Bolivar Point Light would guide the shipment of millions of tons of goods through Galveston Bay.
With the outbreak of the Civil War, Confederate forces dismantled the tower and reforged the iron into military armaments. Reconstruction of the lighthouse after the war proved to be quite protracted, due to an outbreak of Yellow Fever that placed much of the Texas coastal area under quarantine.
The new lighthouse was finally completed in 1872, at a cost of more than $50,000. The replacement tower was constructed with an iron casement similar to the one that fortified its predecessor. The impressive black tower would withstand many a strong gale over the next 6 decades. In 1915, just a few short years after the devastating storm of 1900, another major hurricane pounded the hapless citizens of Galveston. Once again, Bolivar Point Light provided sanctuary to victims fleeing from the winds and flood tide.
Once considered "the most important lighthouse west of the Mississippi", by 1930 Bolivar Point Light had outlived its usefulness. Although discontinued from active service in 1933, this magnificent sentinel remains an enduring part of the rich history of the Gulf Coast. No longer open to the public because of private ownership, you may still view Bolivar Point Light from the deck of the Free Ferry that traverses daily from the north end of Galveston Island.
Texas
If you stand next to the lighthouse in Port Isabel State Park, it would-be hard to imagine the history of conflict that accompanies this peaceful domain. Once a small Mexican fishing village, the life of this sleepy hamlet would be forever altered, when in 1846, American General ZacharyTaylor chose this site to be the staging center for military excursions into Mexico. Fort Polk, as it came to be known, would later be abandoned and transferred to the U.S. Treasury. After the Mexican War, Texas began to actively solicit money from Congress for navigational aids for its fledgling coastal economy. Funds were appropriated for two lighthouses to serve the harbor at BrazosSantiago, just north of the mouth of the Rio Grande. Point Isabel, which would later be renamed Port Isabel, was an obvious choice, as it was not only the most elevated site for miles, but was also conveniently under the control of the Federal government. After numerous setbacks, inducing the wreck of a vessel bearing badly needed materials, construction was completed in August 1852. In the spring of the following year, the final coats of whitewash were applied and the beacon displayed for the first time. The newly installed light could be seen for miles in alldirections.Over the next several years, many important improvements were added to Point Isabel, including the addition of a keepers a residence. Then in1857, the original lighting equipment was upgraded from the old system of lamps and reflectors to the more highly advanced Fresnel lens. The brighter light could be seen for as far as 16 miles. In 1860, Point Isabel earned the distinction of being one of the few lighthouses on the Texas coast to have a woman as its keeper, when Hannah Hain succeeded her husband after his untimely death. Point Isabel attracted considerable military interest during the Civil War. Soon after Texas seceded from the Union, the Point Isabel light was dimmed, and used instead as an observation post. Possession of this strategic location changed hands several times during the war. Twice rebel forces tried to destroy the tower with gunpowder charges to prevent its use by Federal troops. Somehow the tenacious lighthouse survived, although with a few obvious cracks. On May 13th 1865, within a rifle shot of the lighthouse, the final battle of the Civil War was fought. Ironically, although the day belonged to the unwitting rebels, General Lee had surrendered at Appomattox a month earlier. After the war, needed repairs were made and the lighthouse resumed its important function. In 1888, the Lighthouse Board decided to sell the lighthouse, only to discover that it had been illegally appropriated by General Taylor in the first place. An out of court settlement with the rightful owners finally placed the lighthouse legally in Federal hands in1894. By the turn of the century, commercial shipping began to slow considerably, and the need for a lighthouse at Point Isabel became questionable. The light was finally extinguished on August 1, 1905.After changing owners several more times, Port Isabel Light was eventually donated to the State of Texas by the Port Isabel Realty Co. Today, you will find this proud, old sentinel in the center of Texas smallest state park. Although the beacon has long been extinguished, ships still look for the active mercury-vapor light as a navigational aid. The tower is open daily to the public.
