Aransas Pass Light Station facts for kids
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| Aransas Pass Light Station | |
 Aransas Pass Light Station
Location in Texas
Aransas Pass Light Station
Location in the United States
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| Location | Aransas County, Texas |
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| Coordinates | 27°51′51″N 97°03′23″W / 27.86417°N 97.05639°W |
| Year first constructed | 1856 |
| Year first lit | 1857 |
| Automated | yes |
| Deactivated | 1952 |
| Foundation | Screwpile, concrete |
| Construction | Red brick |
| Tower shape | Octagon |
| Height | 68 feet (21 m) |
| Focal height | 60 feet (18 m) |
| Original lens | fourth order Fresnel lens |
| Range | 13 miles (21 km) |
The Aransas Pass Light Station, also called the Lydia Ann Lighthouse, is a historic lighthouse in Aransas County, Texas. It is located on Harbor Island, within the city of Port Aransas. This lighthouse helped guide ships safely through a natural pass from the Gulf of Mexico into Aransas and Corpus Christi Bays. It stands behind San Jose and Mustang Islands.
History of the Lighthouse
The Aransas Pass Light Station was one of the first lighthouses built in Texas. It was part of the United States Lighthouse Service, which started in 1851. This service later joined the United States Coast Guard in 1939. Officials at the time knew how important it was to build this lighthouse quickly.
This lighthouse is the second oldest on the Texas coast. It is also the oldest building still standing in the Aransas Pass and Corpus Christi area.
Over time, the main shipping channel, called Aransas Pass, changed its path. Because of this, the light station was no longer in the best spot to guide ships. A new light was then set up closer to Port Aransas. The Aransas Pass Light Station was turned off in 1952. It was no longer needed and was sold in 1955. The channel it once served was renamed Lydia Ann Channel. The lighthouse itself became known as the Lydia Ann Light Station.
The Lighthouse Today
In 1988, Charles Butt, who is the CEO of the H-E-B grocery store chain, bought the light station. He hired someone to take care of it. After a hurricane caused damage, he had the buildings fixed and restored. The lighthouse was then put back into service. It now works automatically.
The Lydia Ann Light Station is special because it is the only lighthouse on the Texas coast that has a caretaker living on site. As of 2012, Rick Reichenbach was the second person to hold this important job.
