Matagorda Island Lighthouse
Matagorda Island, Texas

The original Matagorda lighthouse was completed and it's lamps were first lit on December 21, 1852. The tower was identical to the one at Bolivar Point, Bolivar Peninsula. The original light was 79 feet above sea level. It's first paint job was red, white and black bands.

The tower was rebuilt on the highest part of the island in 1873, almost two miles further inland from the first site.

Constructed of cast iron with a stone, brick and concrete foundation. It stands 92 feet overall, with a focal plane of 85 feet above sea level. It is black in color. The current tower was originally equipped with a Third Order Fresnel lens that flashed every 90 seconds and was visible up to 16 miles out to sea. Operation of the light was discontinued in the fall of 1995. A restoration project has been started at the lighthouse, with the first step being the re-lighting ceremony at midnight on 12-31-1999.

Access: The light is located in Matagorda Island State Park on Matagorda Island. The grounds are open to the public, but access to the island is only by boat.

A ferry operates from Port O'Connor, Texas. Information on it's operation can be acquired by calling the park office at 512-983-2215.

The Third Order Fresnel lens is currently displayed at the Calhoun County Museum in Port Lavaca, Texas.

Click here for another (external) page with photos of the lighthouse. (That link will open a new window If this link is broken, please let me know!)