Managing Organization: Matagorda Island Foundation
Website: http://www.matagordalighthouse.com
Contact Address Information: 5858 Westheimer, Suite 400 Houston Texas,
77057,
United States
Notes: Responsibility for this lighthouse has been transferred to Calhoun County. A year-long, $1.23 million renovation project was completed in the spring of 2004. The funding came from a federal grant secured through the Texas Department of Transportation and private donations raised by the Matagorda Island Foundation. Future plans include the reconstruction of the keeper's house to serve as a visitor information center. Tower Height: 79 Height of Focal Plane: 90 Characteristic and Range: White flash every 3 seconds. Description of Tower: Black, conical cast iron tower.
This light is operational
Date Established: 1852 Date Present Tower Built: 1852
Tower Moved? 1873 Date Deactivated: 1995-1999 Optics: 1852: Third order Fresnel lens (now at Calhoun County Historical Museum in Port Lavaca); now 250 mm optic, solar powered. Current Use: Active aid to navigation. Open To Public? Grounds only. Directions: The lighthouse is located in Matagorda Island State Park. Matagorda Island is accessible via ferry (45 minutes) from Port O'Connor. Call (361) 983-2215 for schedules and reservations. Listed on the
National Register of Historic Places Keepers: Capt. James E. Cummings (1852 - 1st Keeper); Theodore Olsen (?-1918)
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