Matagorda Island Light facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Matagorda Island Lighthouse
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Matagorda Island Lighthouse
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 Matagorda Island Lighthouse
Location in Texas
Matagorda Island Lighthouse
Location in the United States
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| Nearest city | Port O'Connor, Texas |
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| Area | less than one acre |
| Built | 1872 |
| Built by | U.S. Coast Guard, Lighthouse Service |
| NRHP reference No. | 84001624 |
| Added to NRHP | September 18, 1984 |
The Matagorda Island Lighthouse stands tall on Matagorda Island in Calhoun County, Texas. This important lighthouse helps guide ships safely. It used to be managed by the United States Coast Guard. Now, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department takes care of it.
Contents
History of the Matagorda Island Lighthouse
Early Plans and Construction
People wanted a lighthouse to help ships enter Matagorda Bay through Pass Cavallo. In 1845, the government of Texas, before it joined the U.S., approved building one. When Texas became part of the United States in 1845, the U.S. government took over the project. James K. Polk was the U.S. President at that time.
In 1847, the United States Congress approved $15,090 to build the lighthouse. There were many delays, but the job was finally given to Murray and Hazlehurst of Baltimore in 1851. The new lighthouse was made of cast iron and stood 55 feet (17 m) tall. It started working on December 21, 1852.
Changes and Challenges Over Time
Strong storms from the Gulf of Mexico and beach erosion caused problems. The lighthouse had to be rebuilt on higher ground. In 1857, the light tower was made 24 feet (7.3 m) taller. This helped ships see its beam from a greater distance. A new lens was put in place in 1859.
During the American Civil War, which was a war between different parts of the United States, the Confederate Navy tried to blow up the lighthouse. They wanted to keep it from being used by the Union forces. The damage was so bad that the lighthouse had to be rebuilt again in 1873. This time, it cost $32,000. A new iron tower was added, and its light was 91 feet (28 m) above sea level.
The 1886 Indianola hurricane was a very powerful storm. It destroyed most of the nearby town of Indianola. The water rose 4 feet (1.2 m) inside the lighthouse tower. The strong winds made the tower sway, and the lens fell out. In 1956, the United States Coast Guard made the lighthouse automatic. This meant that humans no longer needed to operate it, which was a first for this tower.
Renovating the Lighthouse
The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department now manages the Matagorda Island Lighthouse. In 1999, they put in a new rotating marine lantern that runs on solar power. The light had been off since 1995. It was turned back on at midnight as the year 2000 began, celebrating the new millennium.
The lighthouse went through a big renovation that finished in 2004. This project cost $1.23 million. The money for the renovation came from private donations through the Matagorda Island Foundation. A grant from the United States government also helped pay for the work.
Cemetery Near the Lighthouse
There is a special resting place near the lighthouse. This is where lighthouse keepers and their families were buried.
See also
In Spanish: Faro de la Isla Matagorda para niños
