|
PASCAGOULA, MS (WLOX) May 13,
2013 -"It
is simply amazing to see this historical
structure that once stood on Round
Island for more than 150 years right
here on Pascagoula soil," Pascagoula
Mayor Robbie Maxwell said of the Round
Island Lighthouse.
A topping off ceremony was held Monday
to celebrate the rebirth of an important
piece of Jackson County history. The
"wow" factor was on full display for
lighthouse historian Melbaleen Lewis.
"I just feel so humble and so thankful
that so many people has supported it so
faithfully. And the workers that are out
here, they are all just wonderful,"
Lewis said.
Those workers, like James Dearman, are
proud to be a part of history on the
mend.
"It makes us feel good that they
requested us and it's a real honor to be
part of this. I mean, it's nice,"
Dearman said.
What's also nice is the new chapter in
history being written for this
lighthouse. Jerry Biggs is a freelance
writer who specializes in lighthouses.
"We're talking about almost two
centuries of history right here in
Pascagoula and I think it's really great
that it's being preserved," Biggs
exclaimed.
While preserving history was the number
one goal of this ten year long project,
there's another goal as well. You see,
the lighthouse is right in the heart of
downtown Pascagoula, off the high rise
Highway 90 bridge. And that means a lot
of people are going to see it.
Jen Dearman is the city's community
development director.
"It completely transforms our entry, our
gateway into the city and we've already
had people come from across the nation
to come visit it. Today, we have
representatives from the U.S. National
Lighthouse Association, Florida
Lighthouse Association, and Alabama
Lighthouse Association," Dearman said.
That's an association that hopefully
will endure for another 150 years.
So far, $1.2 million has been spent on
the lighthouse project. About half of
that amount came from FEMA. Another
$250,000 is needed to finish the
interior and open it to the public. That
money is being raised through private
and corporate donations.
Copyright 2013 WLOX.
All rights reserved. Used with
permission.
|
