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Round Island Lighthouse
Restoration Project |
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| The above rendering gives the
viewer an accurate picture of how the lighthouse
will appear in its new location. Lighthouse is seen
in the lower righthand corner of the rendering,
adjacent to the bridge approach.
Click to view
full size. |
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A lantern gallery that will eventually sit
atop the historic Round Island Lighthouse is
expected to start coming together starting in
February (2011).
The lantern gallery is
the top portion of a lighthouse, built of metal and
glass that houses the actual light. "We're starting
to hear some feedback from the public that they
think the project has stalled because they don't see
work going on out there," Harry Schmidt, community
development director, said.
"So we want to
celebrate the completion of the first phase and let
people know that the next phase is funded but most
of the work will take place in a fabrication shop,
so the public won't really see it
 until it is
completed."
The city plans to place the
gallery next to the portion of the lighthouse that's
been restored, most likely in July or August.
The city received about $50,000 in private
sponsorships to pay for the lion's share of the
lantern gallery restoration. After Hurricane Georges
toppled the lighthouse in 1998, sections of the
gallery were salvaged. They will be incorporated
into the restored gallery, Schmidt said.
Phase One, which consisted of lifting what was left
of the 1850s brick lighthouse off of Round Island,
transporting and installing is at a new site on U.S.
90 at the southeast side of the high-rise bridge,
was completed in December (2010). That portion of
the project was funded by about $600,000 in federal
and state grand money.
It was a more
complex project than it appears at first glance.
Piles had to be driven and a foundation had to be
poured for the lighthouse, which the city aims to
restore to its original height of 40 feet.
About two-thirds of the original bricks were
salvaged from the island, and will be incorporated
into the restored structure, Schmidt said.
Another paart of phase one is a new sidewalk that
will connect the lighthouse to a boat lunch and
historic pathway along the river.
Construction of the boat launch and pathway, which
is a separatae project, is set to begin very soon.
It is funded by about $2.2 million in Mississippi
Transportation Department and Tidelands Trust Funds.
"We're sitting on go with that," Schmidt said.
The city hopes to finance phases two and three of
the project, which include rebuilding the brick,
entirely with grant money. that is expected to cost
$350,000 to $450,000 and be complete in 2012.
At only a third of its former height, the lighthouse
doesn't look like much now, but the city envisions
it as a stately beacon that welcomes people as they
cross the bridge into Pascagoula. It is working with
a consultant with lighthouse restoration experience
on a game plan.
The lantern gallery will
be illuminated in some way, but not shine as
brightly as it once did since that could district
motorists on the bridge.
Used with permission from The Mississippi Press |
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This site provides some information on the history, the memories and the charms of the Round Island Lighthouse. Hopefully you'll be inspired to lend a hand. If you are interested in seeing what you could do to make a difference, take a peek at the You CAN Help page for products and membership information. Even if you're not inspired yet, browse through the site and let us know what you think.
Round Island Lighthouse Preservation Society
P.O.Box 1059
Pascagoula, MS 39568
Copyright ? 2010 Round Island
Lighthouse Preservation Society/All Rights Reserved
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