Biloxi Lighthouse facts for kids
The Biloxi Lighthouse is a famous lighthouse located in Biloxi, Mississippi. It stands right next to the Mississippi Sound, which is part of the Gulf of Mexico. This special lighthouse has been looked after by female keepers for more years than any other lighthouse in the United States. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1973. Later, in 1987, it was named a Mississippi Landmark.
Contents
Building the Lighthouse
On March 3, 1847, the United States Congress decided to build a lighthouse in Biloxi. They approved $12,000 for the project. A company from Baltimore called Murray and Hazlehurst was hired to build the iron lighthouse for $6,347. The house for the lighthouse keeper was built separately. The land for the lighthouse was bought by an official from Mobile, Alabama.
The lighthouse tower was finished and started working in 1848. It was about 45 feet (14 m) tall from its base to the top lantern room. It used nine lamps to shine its light. The very first person to keep the light working was Marcellus J. Howard.
Years of Service
On April 11, 1854, a woman named Mary Reynolds became the lighthouse keeper. She had a "large family of orphan children" to care for. She kept the light burning until the U.S. Civil War began. She was appointed by Governor Albert Gallatin Brown. In 1856, the light was updated.
In 1860, a big hurricane hit the coast. Many lighthouses were destroyed, but the Biloxi Lighthouse was not damaged. Keeper Reynolds bravely kept the light shining through the storm. She said she climbed the tower during and after the storm, even when others were scared. During that storm, some sand under the lighthouse washed away, making it lean. More sand was later removed from the other side to make it straight again.
The light was ordered to be turned off on June 18, 1861. It was fixed and turned back on by November 15, 1866. Around that time, the tower was painted with coal tar to protect it from rust. This was not done to mourn President Abraham Lincoln, as some stories say.
Brave Female Keepers
Perry Younghans became the keeper on November 14, 1866. But he soon became sick. His wife, Maria Younghans, took over and kept the light working. When Mr. Younghans passed away, Mrs. Younghans was officially appointed keeper on December 6, 1867. In 1868, the tower was painted white. It almost fell during another hurricane that year.
In 1880, the old keeper's house was torn down and a new one was built. A seawall was washed away, and the tower was in danger during a hurricane on October 1, 1893. A newspaper reported that Mrs. Younghans, the brave woman in charge, kept the light going throughout the storm. This was amazing because there were several feet of water in her living room!
In 1898, a telephone cable was laid between the Biloxi and Ship Island lighthouses. This happened at the start of the Spanish–American War.
In 1916, another hurricane damaged the light. The wharf (a pier) and boathouse were destroyed by a storm the next year. Maria Younghans retired on December 31, 1918. Her daughter, Miranda, then became the keeper and stayed until 1929. The Younghans family had taken care of the light for a total of 63 years! After them, W. B. Thompson became the keeper.
In 1926, the lighthouse was updated to use electricity.
Modern History
In April 1960, the beach near the lighthouse was the site of a protest for equal rights. In 2010, a historical marker was placed at the lighthouse to remember this important event.
In 1969, the keeper's house was destroyed by Hurricane Camille.
Today, the City of Biloxi owns the tower. It is used as a private aid to navigation, meaning it helps boats find their way.
In 2005, Hurricane Katrina damaged the lighthouse. It cost over $400,000 to fix it. The repairs included new wiring, fixing the bricks inside, adding outside lights, and restoring the decorative fence around it. The lighthouse was relit in a special ceremony on February 19, 2010.
Visiting the Lighthouse
The Biloxi Lighthouse is a symbol of strength and survival for the city. It has seen many storms and is a very important part of Biloxi's history. It is also a popular place for tourists to visit.
The city of Biloxi provides information about the lighthouse on its website. This includes a detailed history and videos. These show how much the community cares about the lighthouse. It is seen as an "inseparable" part of the city.
The Biloxi Lighthouse is often used as a symbol for the city. For example, it was shown on a poster about the city's growth. It is a constant reminder of Biloxi's history, even as the city changes. The lighthouse has survived many storms and has not moved or been destroyed. This makes it a powerful symbol of hope and strength for the community.
In 2009, the lighthouse had a 14-month restoration that cost $400,000. After it was finished in 2010, nearly a thousand people climbed its spiral staircase on February 21. Tours of the historic 65 feet (20 m) tall structure were popular before Hurricane Katrina hit in 2005. The Biloxi Lighthouse is unique because it is the only lighthouse in the United States that stands in the middle of a U.S. Highway (U.S. Route 90).
Today, if you are at least 42 inches (1,100 mm) tall, you can climb the lighthouse. It has 57 steps and an 8-rung ladder. You go through a small trap door to reach the light room. Even if you can't climb it, an image of the lighthouse is a lasting memory for many visitors.
Photography
The Biloxi Lighthouse is one of the most photographed places on the Gulf Coast. Tourists often take pictures of it from the road or up close. People want to capture the lighthouse as they remember it.
It's interesting that the lighthouse is featured on over 2 million Mississippi license plates. This means many people see the lighthouse image every day, even if they don't visit it in person. The city of Biloxi works to protect the view of the lighthouse. For example, a local business owner was asked to put up a fence to hide his shop from visitors looking at the lighthouse.
The City of Biloxi also has live video footage from inside the lighthouse on its website. This shows parts of the Biloxi coastline and a nearby intersection.
|
