Pass A L'Outre Light
undated photograph of Pass A L'Outre Light (USCG), after 1919
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| Location | east end of Pass A L'Outre in the Mississippi delta |
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| Coordinates | 29°11′24″N 89°02′14″W / 29.1901°N 89.0371°WCoordinates: 29°11′24″N 89°02′14″W / 29.1901°N 89.0371°W |
| Year first constructed | 1858 |
| Year first lit | 1858 |
| Deactivated | 1930 |
| Foundation | stone, timber |
| Construction | Cast iron tower with brick lining |
| Tower shape | Conical |
| Markings / pattern | black; white spiral daymark added in 1919; White/black Barber's pole |
| Focal height | varied (see text) |
| Original lens | 3rd Order Fresnel lens |
| Characteristic | Fixed red (1902) |
| ARLHS number | ARLHS USA-580 |
The Pass A L'Outre Light (or Pass a Loutre Light) is a defunct lighthouse in the Birdfoot Delta in Louisiana, located near the mouth of the Mississippi River. Erected to mark the then-active entrance to the river, it was abandoned as that channel silted up. It has been in the path of several noteworthy hurricanes, and was heavily damaged. It is on the Lighthouse Digest Doomsday List, and is critically in danger. The lighthouse is at the center of a nature preserve.
This light was erected to replace the old Frank's Island Light, which was abandoned when the neighboring channel became unnavigable. Rather than construct a new tower, in 1855 the iron tower of the Head of Passes Light was moved to a point near the mouth of Pass A L'Outre, the channel of the Mississippi River extending east from Head of Passes, and equipped with a third order Fresnel lens. The first keeper, John Lory, had most recently been keeper at the now deactivated light.
When constructed at Head of Passes in 1852, it was America's tallest cast iron lighthouse. It became apparent that such a tall light was unneeded there, and it was moved in 1855 to its present location. Originally the tower was 85 feet (26 m) tall; it has sunk into the mud and is about 40 feet (12 m) as of 2017[update].
At the outset of the Civil War Confederate forces removed the lamp and burned the stored lamp oil, and in 1862 burned the keeper's dwelling as well. Union forces returned and removed the lens, and in 1863 they regained control, built a new dwelling, and restored the light to operation. At the same time the outside of the tower was painted with coal tar.
By 1868 the tower was sinking into the mud of the delta: originally the beacon stood at 77 feet (23 m) above mean low water; by 1886 this was reduced to 65 feet (20 m) and to 59 feet (18 m) in 1920. The tower was settling evenly and no action was taken, other than raising the floor of the tower and cutting a new door in the side.
In 1871, a steam fog whistle was added; it was discontinued in 1880. The steam fog signals were authorized by an appropriation Act of Congress in 1871 in the amount of $10,000.00.
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