Matagorda Island Lighthouse
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Matagorda Island Lighthouse
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 Matagorda Island Lighthouse
Matagorda Island Lighthouse
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| Location | Calhoun County, Texas |
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| Coordinates | 28°20′16.4″N 96°25′26.7″W / 28.337889°N 96.424083°WCoordinates: 28°20′16.4″N 96°25′26.7″W / 28.337889°N 96.424083°W |
| Built | 1873 |
| NRHP Reference # | 84001624 |
| Added to NRHP | September 18, 1984 |
The Matagorda Island Light is located on Matagorda Island in Calhoun County, in the U.S. state of Texas. Once under the jurisdiction of the United States Coast Guard, the lighthouse is now managed by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.
Building of a lighthouse to guide sea-going vessels into Matagorda Bay through Pass Cavallo was authorized by the Congress of the Republic of Texas in 1845 . When President James K. Polk signed the Texas Annexation documents on December 29, 1845, it became the responsibility of the United States. In 1847, United States Congress authorized $15,090 to build the lighthouse. Legislative red tape caused a series of delays, and the contract to build the lighthouse was finally awarded to Murray and Hazlehurst of Baltimore in 1851. The new 55 feet (17 m) cast iron lighthouse became functional on December 21, 1852. Gulf storms and subsequent beach erosion caused the lighthouse to be rebuilt on higher ground. The light tower was raised 24 feet (7.3 m) in 1857 to enable the beam to be seen from a greater distance. A new lens was installed in 1859.
During the Civil War, the Confederate States Navy tried to blow up the lighthouse to keep it out of Union hands. Damage inflicted by the Confederate troops necessitated rebuilding of the lighthouse at a new site in 1873 at a cost of $32,000. A new iron conical tower was added, with the lens 91 feet (28 m) above sea level.
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