New Canal Light Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids
New Canal Lighthouse
Location	West End Blvd. and Lakeshore Dr., New Orleans, Louisiana
Coordinates	30°1′37.6″N 90°6′47.55″W / 30.027111°N 90.1132083°W / 30.027111; -90.1132083
Year first constructed	1838
Year first lit	1890 (last lighthouse)
Automated	Yes
Foundation	Pile with platform
Construction	Wood
Tower shape	Square tower on top of house
Markings / pattern	White with red roof
Focal height	Lighthouse: 49 feet (15 m) Current pole light: 15 feet (4.6 m)
Original lens	5th order Fresnel lens
Characteristic	Lighthouse: Occulting White 5s Current pole light: Fl 2 White 5s
Fog signal	Previous: Bell, every ten seconds

The New Canal Lighthouse is a historic lighthouse in New Orleans, Louisiana. It was first built in 1838. This lighthouse stands where the New Basin Canal once met Lake Pontchartrain. The canal used to connect the lake to the city. Even though the canal was filled in around 1950, the lighthouse stayed on a small piece of land that reaches into the lake. It still helps guide small boats and yachts today.

History of the Lighthouse
New Canal Lighthouse Museum
Gallery
See also

History of the Lighthouse

Building the First Lighthouse

The very first lighthouse was built in 1838. It stood on a base made of wood and shells. The tower was shaped like an octagon and made of cypress wood. It was about 28 feet (8.5 meters) tall.

Changes Over Time

The first tower wore out, so a new one was built in 1855. This new lighthouse was a square wooden house built on special "screw piles" that went deep into the ground. It had an iron lantern and a special Fresnel lens. This type of lens helps make the light brighter and more focused.

In 1890, the lighthouse was replaced again. The light was raised to 49 feet (15 meters) high. This structure was rebuilt even more in 1901.

Surviving Storms

The lighthouse faced many strong storms. Hurricanes damaged it in 1903, 1915, 1926, and 1927. After the 1927 storm, it was raised up on new concrete supports. In 1936, the area around it was filled with land. This was the first time the lighthouse stood on solid ground instead of over water. From the 1960s until 2001, the United States Coast Guard had a station at this site.

Rebuilding After Hurricanes Katrina and Rita

In 2005, the lighthouse was badly damaged by Hurricane Katrina and Hurricane Rita. The first floor collapsed, and its top part, called the cupola, fell off.

In 2006, a group called the Lake Pontchartrain Basin Foundation took over. They signed an agreement with the Coast Guard to fix the lighthouse. It was carefully taken apart and stored away. The rebuilding work began in February 2012 and was finished in 2013.

A Historic Landmark

The New Canal Lighthouse was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1985. This means it is recognized as an important historical site.

New Canal Lighthouse Museum

Today, the lighthouse is run by the Lake Pontchartrain Basin Foundation. It is called the New Canal Lighthouse Museum and Education Center. Visitors can learn about the lighthouse's history and the environment of the Pontchartrain Basin. The museum also has a Fresnel lens that was likely used in the lighthouse in the early 1900s. It's a great place to learn about the area's history and outdoor activities.