Aransas Pass Light Station
Location: On Harbor Island, 2 mi. NE of east end of island, private and accessible only by boat
Construction of 67-foot tower was started in 1855. The French lens was
lighted in 1856, to mark natural Gulf pass to Aransas and Corpus Christi
Bays by way of Lydia Ann Channel -- named for the daughter of the first
keeper. During Civil War, Confederates (in 1863) buried lens for safety
before damaging tower to avert use of light by Federal forces. The auxiliary
structures were rebuilt after 1919 hurricane. One of original Texas stations
of U.S. Lighthouse Service (merged into the Coast Guard in 1939), this light
was decommissioned in 1952 after pass shifted southward. (1973)
INCISE ON BASE: Lighthouse not open to public.
INCISE ON BACK OF MARKER: Restored in 1972 by Charles C. Butt
Source: Texas Historical Commission