Round Island Light, Mississippi

Round Island Lighthouse stood from 1859 to 1998 on the southwest end of Round Island in the Mississippi Sound, 4 miles (6.4 km) south of Pascagoula, Mississippi. In September 1998, the lighthouse was toppled by Hurricane Georges. In 2010, the base of the structure and other lighthouse remnants were removed from Round Island and relocated within the City of Pascagoula for restoration.

Round Island Light

Round Island Lighthouse, 1998. Original coordinates 30.2919°N 88.5867°W[1]
Location	Pascagoula, Mississippi
Coordinates	30.37070°N 88.55590°W (2013)[2]
Year first lit	1859[3]
Automated	1944[3]
Deactivated	1949[3]
Foundation	Unknown
Construction	Brick
Tower shape	Conical
Markings / pattern	Red Brick
Tower height	50 feet (15 m)[4]
Original lens	fourth order Fresnel lens[3]
Range	10–12 nautical miles; 19–23 kilometres (12–14 mi)[4]
ARLHS number	USA-711H[1]
Heritage	place listed on the National Register of Historic Places, Mississippi Landmark
Round Island Light
U.S. National Register of Historic Places
Mississippi Landmark
NRHP reference No.	86002815
USMS No.	059-PAS-0223-NR-ML
Significant dates
Added to NRHP	October 9, 1986[4]
Designated USMS	February 25, 1987[5]

History

Construction

In 1833, the United States Lighthouse Board contracted for construction of a lighthouse on Round Island in the Mississippi Sound.[4] By 1854, the Lighthouse Board determined that the structure was poorly built and was too close to the water, which eroded the foundation. Construction of a second lighthouse along with a keeper's dwelling was contracted and completed in 1859 at a cost of $7,130.97.[6] The 1859 tower stood 50 feet (15 m) tall with a focal plane of 44 feet (13 m) above sea level and had a visible range of 10 to 12 nautical miles; 19 to 23 kilometres (12 to 14 mi) from a fourth order Fresnel lens.[4]

Operation

Up until the 1920s, when most lighthouses were converted to electric power, various forms of oil (sperm oil, rapeseed oil, lard, and kerosene) were burned as illuminants.[4]

During the American Civil War (1861-1865), the Fresnel lens was removed from Round Island Lighthouse by Confederate soldiers and transported to Montgomery, Alabama for safekeeping.[7]

Round Island Lighthouse was automated in 1944 but was deactivated 5 years later.[3][8] After deactivation, the U.S. Coast Guard maintained the lighthouse as a day beacon, without illumination, through 1954.[4] Given the lack of historical information about the lighthouse for navigation, its significance is thought to be mainly as a beacon for accessing Pascagoula Harbor.[4]

In 1955, the lighthouse, dwelling, pier, and outbuildings were declared excess property by the General Services Administration. Through the years, the lighthouse suffered from vandalism, disrepair, and wave erosion. In 1986, the lighthouse and approximately 50 acres (20 ha) of land were deeded to the City of Pascagoula by the Bureau of Land Management.[9] The lighthouse was added the National Register of Historic Places on October 9, 1986.[10]

Destruction and relocation

Restored lighthouse in 2015

In September 1998, Round Island Lighthouse was toppled by Hurricane Georges.[9] Plans were made to rebuild the lighthouse at its original location on Round Island, and construction was initiated. However, in August 2005, rebuilding efforts ended when Hurricane Katrina destroyed the partially reconstructed lighthouse. Because of the precarious location on Round Island, that exposed the lighthouse to erosion and destruction from future storms, the Pascagoula City Council made a decision to rebuild the lighthouse within the City of Pascagoula, using as much of the original construction materials as could be salvaged from the island.[11] As of 2012, the original base of the lighthouse and the restored lantern gallery had been secured at their new location, just south of U.S. Route 90 in Pascagoula. By July 2014, the exterior of the lighthouse had been restored and topped with the original lantern gallery.[12]

References

1. ARLHS Round Island Light Retrieved 2014-03-09.
2. ARLHS Round Island Museum Light Retrieved 2014-03-09.
3. Historic Light Station Information: Round Island Light Retrieved 2012-12-04.
4. Round Island Lighthouse Nomination Form Retrieved 2012-12-04.
5. Mississippi Landmarks: Jackson County Retrieved 2012-12-04.
6. History of Round Island Lighthouse Retrieved 2012-12-05.
7. Round Island Lighthouse Retrieved 2012-12-05.
8. Lighthouse Explorer: Round Island Light Retrieved 2012-12-05.
9. Lighthouse Friends: Round Island, MS Retrieved 2012-12-05.
10. National Register of Historic Places Listings in Mississippi Retrieved 2012-12-05.
11. Lighthouses of the United States: Mississippi Retrieved 2012-12-05.
12. About $50K needed to complete Round Island Lighthouse restoration Retrieved 2014-08-24.

External links

• Media related to Round Island Light (Mississippi) at Wikimedia Commons