Disclosure: We are a professional review site that receives compensation from the companies whose products we review. We test each product thoroughly and give high marks to only the very best. We are independently owned and the opinions expressed here are our own..
Driving into town from either direction of HWY 90 you will see the Biloxi Lighthouse sitting between the lanes of the HWY. The lighthouse has survived many hurricanes over the years and has become a post-Katrina symbol of the city’s resolve and resilience. The Lighthouse was built in 1848 and was one of the first cast-iron lighthouses in the South.
The Biloxi Lighthouse – History
In 1847 Mississippi Representative Jefferson Davis sponsored the authorization of three Mississippi Sound Lighthouses. John Fayord sold a one-acre tract of shoreline for the Biloxi Light House and the keeper’s dwelling for $600. Murray and Hazelhurst Vulcan Works of Baltimore, Maryland constructed the lighthouse metal plates. The interior layer was built with bricks from local artisans. The light was magnified by a white fifth-order fixed lens (another site says it’s a fourth-order Frensnel lens and could be seen out to 13 nautical miles. The construction was completed in 1848.
The light was powered by spring oil, lard, and kerosene until it was electrified in 1926. During the years of operation, there were 6 lighthouse keepers and three were women. The women were Mary Reynolds, 1854-1866; Maria Younghans, 1867-1920; and Miranda Younghans, 1920-1929.
In 1938 the Biloxi Lighthouse became part of the U.S. Coast Guard and was in operation until 1967. After it was decommissioned, it was deeded to Biloxi, Mississippi, and then opened to public tours years later.
Over the years the lighthouse withstood whatever mother nature threw at it. In 1860 a hurricane undermined one side of the lighthouse causing it to tilt to the side. Repairs were made. Eventually, a 26-mile seawall was built in 1926 to hold back the gulf. After completion, a man-made beach and a four-lane highway in 1954 landlocked the lighthouse.
The tidal surge from Hurricane Katrina filled a third of the 64-foot tower. The crazy winds and waves dislodged bricks from the interior, windows were damaged, and the electrical system was destroyed. But after 14 months of construction and $421,000, the lighthouse was restored.
The light is in operation today and boat captains still use the flashing beam to guide them to the Biloxi Channel.
Our Visit
We didn’t have much time here. But you can get a view from the Lighthouse Pier Beach parking lot. There was too much traffic to get a closer look. It’s an impressive structure and is a remarkable site driving down the highway and seeing the lighthouse. There’s a live feed over at the Biloxi City Website. Make sure to check it out.
About the images
I used my Sony a6000 and my Sony SELP18105G E PZ 18-105mm F4 G OSS lens. The images were then edited with Adobe Lightroom CC, Topaz Labs Denoise AI and Topaz Labs Sharpen AI, Aurora HDR (no longer available but still a great product),, and Luminiar Neo to clean up the images.
About James
Leave a Reply