Historic Light Station
Information
& Photography
TEXAS
ARANSAS (PORT ARANSAS) PASS LIGHT
Location: EASTERLY EDGE OF HARBOR ISLAND
Station Established: 1855
Year First Lit: 1857
Operational: Yes, as a private aid
Automated: N/A
Deactivated: 1952
Tower Shape/Markings/Pattern: Brown, octagonal, pyramidal tower made of brick; lantern, black; two dwellings near (as of 1903).
Height: 65'
Original Lens: FOURTH ORDER
Characteristic: Fixed white
Fog Horn: None
Historical Information:
- Construction of the station began in 1855.
- Originally a Fixed fourth order, 55 feet above the base and 60 feet above sea level. Brown brick tower, octagonal.
- Lens removed and station secured in 1861.
- On the orders of Confederate General John Bankhead Magruder Confederate forces attempted to blow up the lighthouse in December, 1862. They were apparently not completely successful as there are other attempts the following year. Sometime during 1863 they succeeded in shooting "the circular iron stairway through the lantern, severely damaging the brickwork" after detonating two kegs of black powder.
- A Federal survey party sent to the site in 1866 noted that the "old lantern has diagonal frames and was much injured by the attempt made by rebels to blow up the tower with gun powder. Much of the brick work of the tower is shattered by the explosions and the cast iron steps almost wholly destroyed."
- Tower was rebuilt in 1867 and was first relit on 15 June 1867.
- On 4 June 1952 the Coast Guard ordered the disestablishment of the light station.
- A new lighted aid was established at and the radio-beacon moved to the nearby Coast Guard Station Port Aransas. The new light was an 85 foot steel skeleton tower.
- Original station site now a private aid to navigation named Lydia Ann Channel Light.
Photographs:
BRAZOS RIVER LIGHT
Location: Northerly side of the Brazos River, about 1 mile inside its mouth
Station Established: 1896
Year Current/Last Tower(s) First Lit: 1896
Operational: No
Automated:
Deactivated: 1967
Tower Shape/Markings/Pattern: Square, pyramidal, skeleton, iron tower; brown below the gallery and black above.
Height: 98'
Original Lens: Third Order Clamshell, Fresnel
Characteristic: Flashing white every 10 seconds
Fog Horn: None
Historical Information:
- Station was established in 1896; square pyramidal skeleton tower.
- It was a sister station to that on Sanibel Island.
- Station's property was conveyed to Dow Chemical on 7 March 1967 and they dismantled the tower.
- The lantern room and lens are now on display at the Brazoria County Historical Museum.
Photographs:
Brazos River Light: (75 dpi); Original caption: "BRAZOS RIVER LIGHT [;] CAMERA STATION APPROX. SOUTH OF LIGHT."; photo dated July, 1945; Photo No. "8ND #9 [;] 72"; photographer unknown.
Brazos River Light: (75 dpi) ; (300 dpi); Original caption: "BRAZOS RIVER LIGHT STA. [;] FREEPORT, TEXAS [;] Aerial-8CGD."; photo dated 11 March 1964; no photo number; photo by "Gliniecki, R. F."
BRAZOS SANTIAGO LIGHT
Location: Brazos Santiago Pass, Padre Island
Station Established: 1853
Year Current/Last Tower(s) First Lit: 1943
Operational: No
Automated: 1939
Deactivated:
Tower Shape/Markings/Pattern: Hexagonal screw-pile structure; dwelling, slate-color; piles, roof, and lantern, black (1903)
Height: 30' (1854); 60' (1903)
Original Lens: Fifth order Fresnel, 1854; Fourth order (1903)
Characteristic: Fixed white
Fog Horn: None
Historical Information:
- Original light was a moveable wood structure with wheels.
- First tower was built in 1864. It was constructed of wood and was 30 feet in height.
- Tower was rebuilt in 1864 and four feet was added to its height.
- Keeper's wife was killed and the tower destroyed during the 1874 hurricane.
- Tower was rebuilt in 1879 as a wooden cottage-style screw-pile structure.
- Tower burned down in 1940.
- By 1943 the light was placed on a Coast Guard building.
Photographs:
1879 Brazos Santiago Light: (75 dpi); no caption/date/photo number; photographer unknown; probably 1926 -- see next photo for similar view.
1879 Brazos Santiago Light: (75 dpi) ; (300 dpi); Original caption: "BRAZOS-SANTIAGO L. S., TEXAS EIGHTH NAVAL DISTRICT (NEW ORLEANS) [;] Camera Station 100 ft. SW."; photo dated 2 March 1926; no photo number; photo by A. M. Aibilich, Asst. Supt.
1879 Brazos Santiago Light: (75 dpi) ; (300 dpi); no caption/date/photo number; photographer unknown. Photo from shore looking out with keeper's house in foreground.
1879 Brazos Santiago Light: (75 dpi) ; (300 dpi); Original caption: "BRAZOS SANTIAGO LIGHT [;] CAMERA STATION APPROX. EAST OF LIGHT. (IN THE BACKGROUND CAN BE SEEN THE REMAINS OF THE OLD LIGHT)"; photo dated July, 1945; no photo number; photographer unknown (CGD-8 photo).
1943 Brazos Santiago Light: (75 dpi) ; (300 dpi); Original caption: "BRAZOS SANTIAGO LIGHT: Port Isabel Lifeboat Station, Port Isabel, Texas."; Photo dated January, 1955; Photo No. 8CGD 012455-13; photographer unknown.
CLOPPER'S BAR LIGHT
Location: GALVESTON BAY
Station Established: 1854
Year Current Tower(s) First Lit: N/A
Operational: No
Automated: N/A
Deactivated: 1880 & destroyed
Tower Shape/Markings/Pattern: Lantern on cottage-style screwpile structure
Height:
Original Lens: Fifth Order, Fresnel
Characteristic:
Fog Horn:
Photographs:
NONE AVAILABLE
FORT POINT LIGHT
Location: GALVESTON BAY
Station Established: 1881
Year First Lit: 1882
Operational: No
Automated: N/A
Deactivated: 1909
Tower Shape/Markings/Pattern: White hexagonal screw-pile structure; piles, red; blinds, green; lantern and dome, black.
Height: 47' 6"
Original Lens: Fourth Order, Fresnel
Characteristic: Fixed white with three fixed red and two dark sectors. One red sector between S. by W. 1/4 W. and SSW., a dark sector between WSW. and W. 1/4 S., a red sector between W. 3/16 N. and WNW. 1/2 W., a dark sector between WNW. 1/2 W. and NNE., and a red sector between NNE. and NNE. 1/2 E.
Fog Horn: Bell struck by hand
Historical Information:
- Land reserved for public use by the Republic of Texas in 1836.
- On 28 June 1878, Congress authorized $15,000 for construction of a lighthouse at Fort Point.
- Light completed and lit in 1882.
- Light was discontinued on 31 July 1909 but remained as a fog signal station.
- Station retained an active fog signal until 1950.
- Dismantled in 1953.
Photographs:
GALVESTON JETTY LIGHT
Location: GALVESTON ISLAND/GALVESTON BAY
Station Established: 1856
Year Current Tower(s) First Lit: 1916
Operational? NO
Automated? YES
Deactivated: 1972
Foundation Materials: CONCRETE
Construction Materials: BRICK/STEEL
Tower Shape: CYLINDRICAL OCTAGONAL
Markings/Pattern: BUFF W/BLACK TRIM
Relationship to Other Structure: SEPARATE
Original Lens: THIRD ORDER, FRESNEL
Photographs:
HALF MOON REEF LIGHT
Location: RELOCATED FROM MATAGORDA BAY
Station Established: 1858
Year Current Tower(s) First Lit: 1858
Operational? NO
Automated? UNK
Deactivated: 1942
Foundation Materials: IRON SCREWPILE (ORIGINAL)
Construction Materials: WOOD
Tower Shape: HEXAGONAL
Markings/Pattern: WHITE W/GREEN TRIM
Relationship to Other Structure: INTEGRAL
Original Lens: FOURTH ORDER, FRESNEL
Photographs:
LYDIA ANN LIGHT (FORMERLY ARANSAS PASS)
Location: HARBOR ISLAND/NW OF ARANSAS PASS
Station Established: 1855
Year Current Tower(s) First Lit: 1857
Operational: Private aid to navigation
Automated? NO
Deactivated: 1952
Foundation Materials: TIMBER PILING
Construction Materials: RED BRICK
Tower Shape: OCTAGONAL
Markings/Pattern: NATURAL W/BLACK LANTERN
Relationship to Other Structure: SEPARATE
Original Lens: FOURTH ORDER, FRESNEL 1857
Photographs:
NO PHOTOGRAPH YET AVAILABLE
MATAGORDA ISLAND LIGHT
Location: MATAGORDA ISLAND/MATAGORDA BAY
Station Established: 1852
Year Current Tower(s) First Lit: 1852
Operational? YES
Automated? YES 1959
Deactivated: n/a
Foundation Materials: STONE/BRICK/CONCRETE
Construction Materials: CAST IRON PLATE/BRICK LINING
Tower Shape: CONICAL
Markings/Pattern: BLACK
Relationship to Other Structure: SEPARATE
Original Lens: THIRD ORDER 1852
Photographs:
POINT BOLIVAR LIGHT
Location: BOLIVAR PENINSULA/GALVESTON BAY
Station Established: 1852
Year Current Tower(s) First Lit: 1873
Operational? NO
Automated? UNK
Deactivated: 1933
Foundation Materials: NATURAL/EMPLACED
Construction Materials: CAST IRON W/BRICK LINING
Tower Shape: CONICAL
Markings/Pattern: BLACK
Relationship to Other Structure: SEPARATE
Original Lens:
Photographs:
PORT ISABEL (POINT ISABEL) LIGHT
Location: BRAZOS SANTIAGO PASS
Station Established: 1853
Year Current Tower(s) First Lit: 1853
Operational? NO
Automated? UNK
Deactivated: 1905
Foundation Materials: NATURAL/EMPLACED
Construction Materials: BRICK
Tower Shape: CONICAL
Markings/Pattern: WHITE
Relationship to Other Structure: SEPARATE
Original Lens: 15 LAMPS, 21 REFLECTORS 1854
Historical Information:
When Fort Polk was abandoned, after the Mexican War, the site was transferred to the Treasury Department and on September 28, 1850, Congress appropriated $15,000 "for a lighthouse and beacon light at Brazos, Santiago." The tower was completed in 1852 and was lit by four lamps, 57 feet above the ground and 82 feet above sea level. By 1854 the light had 15 lamps and 21 reflectors and was visible 16 miles. A third-order lens was installed in 1857, and the fixed light was varied by flashes.
At the conclusion of the Civil War, when the southern portion of Texas was occupied by Union forces, the light station was overhauled, refitted, and relit February 22, 1866. In 1879 the Lighthouse Board reported the tower in a dilapidated condition. During a rain it was impossible to keep the lens and lamps dry as the lantern leaked "in every direction." By 1881 a new iron lantern had been erected on the tower and the following year mineral oil lamps were fitted. In 1887 a question as to the title of the United States to the land occupied by the light station was raised, and, upon investigation, it was found that the United States had no title to the land. It had been occupied by General Taylor as a camp and depot at the outbreak of the Mexican War. As no title to the land could be established, the light was discontinued on May 15, 1888, and the station abandoned.
Evidence was soon presented to the Lighthouse Board that a light was needed at Point Isabel and that it would be necessary to purchase land for a site at an estimated cost of $8,000. "Upon the discontinuance of the present light" the report continues "the possession of the light structures went to the owners of the land upon which they were built. These buildings are worth considerably more than the sum for which the owners offer to sell the present site, including improvements, to the United States." Congress accordingly, in 1889, appropriated $8,000 for reestablishing the light and the purchase of land on which it stood. The owner offered to sell the site on which the station was situated for $6,000 but the United States attorney reported adversely on the title and he was directed to commence proceedings in condemnation to acquire title. When the case was called for trial in 1891 the district engineer, under instructions from the Lighthouse Board, declined to turn over the requisite amount until the title had been approved by the Attorney General. The sale was finally consummated in 1894 for $5,000 and the Board reported "The purchase has at last been consummated. The title to the site is now in the Government. The light will be shown at an early day." The light was finally re-exhibited on July 15, 1895, but 10 years later, in 1905, discontinued for good. In 1927 the site was sold to the highest bidder for $2,760.
Photographs:
REDFISH BAR LIGHT
Location: ON REDFISH BAR, WESTERLY SIDE OF MIDDLE PASS THROUGH THE BAR, WESTERLY SIDE OF GALVESTON BAY
Station Established: 1854
Year First Lit: 1854
Operational: No
Automated: N/A
Deactivated: 1912
Height: 35'
Tower Shape/Markings/Pattern: White structure with red horizontal stripes.
Original Lens: Fifth Order, Fresnel
Characteristic:
Fog Horn: Fog bell sounded every 30 seconds
Historical Information:
- Authorized by Congress in 1851.
- Built as a square cottage-style dwelling atop five screw piles.
- First lit in 1854.
- Lens replaced with a fixed Sixth Order lens in 1856.
- Destroyed Confederate forces during the Civil War.
- Repaired and put back into operation in 1869.
- In 1895 an inspector noted: "This light is almost useless as an aid to navigation in its present location. A cut was made through Redfish Bar. The old station is so decayed, however, that it is impracticable to remove it to a new location nearer the cut. Estimate $8,000 for a new lighthouse."
- During 1900 hurricane that destroyed Galveston a large steamer was driven past the station, missing it by only a few feet.
- On 26 February 1900 the light was replaced with a "five-day red" post lantern. It was damaged by fire an replaced on 1 April 1900 with an eight-day lantern.
- Post lantern permanently extinguished in 1912.
Photographs:
NONE AVAILABLE
REDFISH BAR CUT LIGHT
Location: IN 2 FEET OF WATER, ON RED FISH BAR, OFF EDWARDS POINT, GALVESTON BAY, CLOSE TO THE EASTERLY SIDE OF THE DREDGED CUT THROUGH THE BAR
Station Established: 1900
Year First Lit: 1900
Operational: No
Automated: N/A
Deactivated: 1936
Height: 39'
Tower Shape/Markings/Pattern: Brown, square, crew-pile foundation surmounted by a square white dwelling; lantern, black.
Original Lens: Fifth Order, Fresnel
Characteristic: Fixed white
Fog Horn: Bell struck by machinery every 30 seconds.
Historical Information:
- In 1898 Congress authorized $8,000 to build a station to mark the dredged "cut" channel.
- Put into operation on 20 March 1900 to mark a channel dredged through Redfish Bar. A square iron-pile foundation, white dwelling with fog bell on the side facing the cut, on the gallery.
- The keeper in 1901 was George R. Smith.
- Hurricane in August, 1915 carried away the platform under the station, as were the chimney and much of the building's siding.
- 1932 Light List noted that the light was an occulting red fifth order, elevation 39, visibility seven miles.
- Light discontinued in 1936. Dwelling was replaced by a steel tower housing an automatic light, "occulting red fifth order acetylene on red skeleton tower on piles."
Photographs:
SABINE BANK LIGHT
Location: IN 18 FEET OF WATER 16.25 MILES SSE OF SABINE PASS
Station Established: 1904
Year First Lit: 1906
Operational: Yes
Automated: 1923
Deactivated: Original tower removed in 2001; skeleton tower now in operation.
Tower Shape/Markings/Pattern: Red, cylindrical, foundation (caisson) pier, expanding in trumpet shape at its upper end to form a gallery, surmounted by a red, conical tower with a black, cylindrical lantern, the tower surrounded near its base by red, conical gallery roof.
Height: 72'
Original Lens: Third Order, Fresnel
Characteristic: Fixed white
Fog Horn: Third-class Daboll trumpet; blasts 5 seconds, silent intervals 25 seconds.
Historical Information:
- By act approved 3 March 1899, a station on Sabine Bank, Texas, was authorized by Congress.
- Funding of of $40,000 authorized by Congress on 6 June 1900 for a light and fog-signal station on Sabine Bank.
- Bids were opened on 8 January 1903. Caisson bids were the lowest mode of construction.
- The metalwork was delivered to Sabine, Texas in 1904.
- The caisson was floated and then towed out to the site and sunk in 1905. On 7 October 1905 a hurricane swept through the area and interrupted the work.
- In 1906 and additional sum was authorized to complete the lighthouse. Caisson red, expanding in a trumpet shape to form the gallery, surmounted by a red conical tower with a black conical roof. Work was completed on 1 March 1906.
- In August, 1919 a hurricane "washed the hatches off the main gallery floor about 26 feet 6 inches above mean high water."
- In September, 1919, another hurricane hit the area. Assistant Keeper Ingvald C. M. Ericksen and temporary assistant keeper Charles T. Hansen were commended for maintaining the light after the station received considerable damage. Note that Ericksen was later lost in an accident at South Pass Jetty Station.
- In 1923 it was changed to untended acetylene as an economy move and the fact that the District Engineer had trouble "keeping the station manned." Cluster of three burners. Tended by the keepers at Sabine Pass. Characteristic was changed from fixed to a white flash every five seconds.
- The Fresnel lens was removed in 1971, and the tower was converted to solar power.
- Light tower was removed from caisson foundation by the USCG between January and April, 2002. Lantern and watch tower were salvaged; a modern tower was placed on the caisson foundation. The lantern room is now in Lions Park in Sabine Pass, Texas. The original third-order Fresnel lens from the Sabine Bank Lighthouse is now in the Museum of the Gulf Coast in Port Arthur.
Photographs:
