The Biloxi Lighthouse is located on Highway 90 at the foot
of Porter Ave in Biloxi, MS. It sits in the median strip between the lanes of
Hwy 90.
This lighthouse reportedly is the first cast-iron tower in the south, and fabricated by Murray & Hazelhurst Vulcan Works of Baltimore, MD. The fabricated materials were shipped south aboard the brig General North. Construction was completed in 1848 and included lining the 48-foot cast-iron tower with locally made brick. A series of 9 lamps and 14" reflectors provided the original light. In 1856 the lamps were replaced by a fourth-order Fresnel lens which operated until after the Civil War when it was replaced by a fifth-order lens. Except for a brief period during the Civil War when the lens was hidden by the local home guard, the light has shown continuously since 1848. At the time of my visit here in 2000, the light continued active.
In 1926 the light was electrified by the Lighthouse Service, then in 1939 the U.S. Coast Guard assumed responsibility for the light's operation. They declared it surplus property in 1968 and the lighthouse was deeded to the City of Biloxi. This lighthouse is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
This lighthouse reportedly is the first cast-iron tower in the south, and fabricated by Murray & Hazelhurst Vulcan Works of Baltimore, MD. The fabricated materials were shipped south aboard the brig General North. Construction was completed in 1848 and included lining the 48-foot cast-iron tower with locally made brick. A series of 9 lamps and 14" reflectors provided the original light. In 1856 the lamps were replaced by a fourth-order Fresnel lens which operated until after the Civil War when it was replaced by a fifth-order lens. Except for a brief period during the Civil War when the lens was hidden by the local home guard, the light has shown continuously since 1848. At the time of my visit here in 2000, the light continued active.
In 1926 the light was electrified by the Lighthouse Service, then in 1939 the U.S. Coast Guard assumed responsibility for the light's operation. They declared it surplus property in 1968 and the lighthouse was deeded to the City of Biloxi. This lighthouse is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
The Biloxi Lighthouse has the distinction of having more
female keepers for more years than men. An additional distinction for it occurred
in 2009. This lighthouse was selected as one of five lighthouses to represent the
Gulf Coast lighthouses on U.S. Postage Stamps. The Biloxi Lighthouse Stamp is similar to the above picture, except there are no trees or cars. In place of these, there are two sail boats, one on either side of the lighthouse. Also, the numbers 44 and letters USA are printed in the upper left corner. Stamp was forty-four cents.
The other four lighthouses honored in this group are: The Fort Jefferson Lighthouse
at Dry Tortugas, FL; Sand Island Lighthouse, AL; Sabine Pass Lighthouse, LA;
and the Matagorda Island Lighthouse, TX.
Except for the Sabine Pass Lighthouse and Matagorda Island
Lighthouse, I have visited the aforementioned lighthouses. I'm grateful for the
opportunity to have seen these honored lighthouses.
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