Matagorda Island Lighthouse
historic place
The Matagorda Island Lighthouse is a historic place located in Calhoun County, near Port O'Connor, Texas. The federal government acquired land for this navigational aid in 1848 at Pass Cavallo. Construction of the cast-iron tower began in June 1852. The 75-foot-tall structure first shone its reflector-type light on December 31, 1852. In 1854, the tower was painted with distinctive white, red, and black horizontal bands. Its height was increased in 1857-58, and a third-order Fresnel lens was installed. During the Civil War, in 1861, the lighthouse ceased operation. Confederate troops attempted to destroy it, damaging six cast iron panels and removing the lens. The lighthouse was dismantled in 1866. It was rebuilt at a new, more inland location, reaching a height of 92 feet. Using existing iron panels and new materials, the tower was painted black. The light was restored on September 1, 1873, serving coastal ports like Indianola and Port O'Connor. The lighthouse remained manned until its automation in 1956. In 1984, it was listed in the National Register of Historic Places. The Matagorda Island Lighthouse represents an important part of the region's transportation, commerce, and engineering history.