Lighthouses on the Mississippi
There are a few lighthouses along the Mississippi River, primarily in New Orleans, Minneapolis and Clinton, Iowa. There were also three lighthouses on the southern end of the Mississippi River. These were the Biloxi Lighthouse built in 1848, the Ship Island Lighthouse, a replica of the original built in 1886 and the Round Island Lighthouse, built in 1859. All three were standing before Hurricane Katrina in 2005, but unfortunately, the only one that survived was the Biloxi Lighthouse, with some interior damage.
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History
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Mississippi lighthouses find their origins in 1847 when Congressional Representative Jefferson Davis proposed legislation to build three lighthouses on the Mississippi Sound. The Biloxi Lighthouse was the first lighthouse, completed in 1848, with a 61-foot high tower and a cast-iron shell top that was constructed in Baltimore. It was attended by a man, but history shows that his wife attended the light for 50 years after his death. Today, the lighthouse is situated in the middle of Highway 90. The other two lighthouses were built during the next 40 years. Inland Mississippi River lighthouses also include one on the 14-acre Boom Island Park in Minneapolis, which is now inactive. The 1838 New Canal Lighthouse on Lake Pontchartrain in Louisiana was severely damaged by Hurricane Katrina.
Function
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The function of the lighthouses on the coast was to shine a bright, revolving light into the ocean to guide waterway travelers in the Gulf of Mexico and warn them of pending hazards. Sometimes the lights could be seen as far as 20 to 25 miles out at sea. Lighthouses inland on the river were also landmarks on the river to guide channel shipping. They were also a welcome beacon, especially at night, letting them know that the end of their journey was near. Located near the entrance of the port and entrance to the Mississippi River, these lighthouses were strategically situated.
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Features
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The main features of the Biloxi Lighthouse included nine small reflector lamps that required regular maintenance by the lighthouse keeper. He had a dwelling near the lighthouse for his family, but it was destroyed by Hurricane Camille in 1969. In later years, the lamps of the Biloxi Lighthouse were modified to fourteen 21.5-inch reflectors. Wider at the bottom than at the top, the outside of the lighthouse is generally painted white, but it may have contrasting stripes. During the Civil War, the lighthouses were painted black and the lights were shut off. Today, the lighthouse is open to tours. The Boom Island Park Lighthouse in Minneapolis is no longer active but is an attraction of the park. The New Canal Lighthouse on Lake Pontchartrain is under repair and renovation by the Louisiana Preservation Society. There is also a white-and-blue functioning lighthouse in Riverside Park in Clinton, Iowa.
Geography
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The Biloxi Lighthouse was built inland on the mainland. The other two lighthouses were built on islands near the Mississippi River, Ship Island and Round Island. Over time, the two islands have been subjected to hurricanes and tidal erosion. The Ship Island Lighthouse, named because it had a deep-water harbor where ships could anchor, was destroyed by an accidental fire and a replica was built. That was destroyed by Hurricane Katrina in 2005. The Round Island Lighthouse is located near Pascagoula, four miles offshore. Its precarious geographic location allowed Hurricane Katrina to deal this lighthouse a destructive blow, toppling it in 2005.
Potential
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Despite the destructive forces of hurricanes and eroding nature of ocean currents, and the great repair needed on two of Mississippi lighthouses, the potential is great for their renovation, preservation and reconstruction. These lighthouses are historic and represent an important part of the region's growth and development regarding maritime shipping. With preservation societies aiming to restore damaged lighthouses to their original state as museums, they will serve to entertain and educate the public. The remaining lighthouses on the Mississippi River continue to serve as historic landmarks for future generations.
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