Point Isabel Light facts for kids
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Point Isabel Lighthouse
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The Point (Port) Isabel Lighthouse in 2003
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 Point Isabel Lighthouse
Location in Texas
Point Isabel Lighthouse
Location in the United States
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| Location | Off SH 100 Port Isabel, Texas |
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| Area | 0.6 acres (0.24 ha) |
| Built | 1852 |
| Built by | U.S. Department of Treasury |
| NRHP reference No. | 76002014 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | April 30, 1976 |
The Point (Port) Isabel Lighthouse is a historic lighthouse located in Port Isabel, Texas, United States. It was built in 1852. Its job was to guide ships safely through the Brazos Santiago Pass to Port Isabel. This important lighthouse was added to the National Register of Historic Places on April 30, 1976.
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About the Point Isabel Lighthouse
Lighthouses are tall towers with bright lights. They help ships find their way and avoid dangerous areas. The Point Isabel Lighthouse stands 82 feet (about 25 meters) tall. It was a very important guide for ships coming into Port Isabel.
Building the Lighthouse
The idea for the lighthouse started in 1850. The United States Congress approved $15,000 to build it. This money was for a "lighthouse and beacon light." Work on the lighthouse began in February 1852.
When it was finished, the lighthouse was a brick tower. It had four lights to guide ships. By 1854, it had 15 lamps and 21 reflectors. In 1857, a special lens called a fresnel lens was added. This lens made the light stronger and helped it flash.
A Lookout in Wartime
During the American Civil War, the Point Isabel Lighthouse became a lookout post. Soldiers from both sides used it to watch for enemy ships or troops. After the war ended, the lighthouse was fixed up. It started working again in 1866.
Back in Business
In 1888, the light was turned off for a while. This happened because the government didn't own the land the lighthouse stood on. The government had to officially buy the land in 1894. On July 15, 1895, the lighthouse light was turned back on. It worked for ten more years. Then, in 1905, it was turned off again.
In 1927, the government sold the lighthouse and its land. A local person bought it.
Saving a Landmark
In the late 1940s, people wanted to save the lighthouse. They thought it was an important historic site. On October 5, 1950, the Texas State Park Board received the lighthouse. It was a gift from Mr. and Mrs. Lon C. Hill, Jr., who owned it then.
The Texas State Park Board started fixing up the lighthouse in 1951. It was opened to the public in 1952.
Visiting the Lighthouse Today
Today, the lighthouse is known as the Port Isabel Lighthouse State Historic Site. It is a popular place for visitors. In September 1996, a new visitors center was built.
The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department owns the site. However, the City of Port Isabel helps to operate and manage it.
