Lighthouse restoration about to begin

BILOXI, Miss. — It’s been the star of countless postcards, a backdrop for weddings and the most photographed structure around.

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Rogelio V. Solis

The Biloxi Lighthouse sustained some damage in Hurricane Katrina and is now closed to tours. But restoration will begin in May and city officials hope to reopen the structure next spring.

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The Biloxi Lighthouse has long been a subject of fascination for tourists and locals alike.

Built in 1848 as a “working lighthouse,” the cast-iron tower is now symbolic of the Mississippi Gulf Coast.

The view from the top is spectacular. That’s partly why the Biloxi Lighthouse became such a tourist attraction. Tours of the lighthouse stopped several years ago, but will likely resume next spring following a lighthouse restoration project that’s about to begin.

“The lighthouse is our signature,” said Mayor A.J. Holloway.

The mayor admits he and other longtime residents may have grown up taking the Biloxi lighthouse somewhat for granted.

It’s just always been there, said Holloway.

But the landmark’s very presence after Hurricane Katrina gave everyone a welcome boost.

“A signature for the whole Mississippi Gulf Coast, not just Biloxi, but the state of Mississippi. Particularly since it’s on the car tags, and now it’s going to be on a stamp. So, I think it’s significant. That’s our history. That’s part of our history and culture in Biloxi,” said Holloway.

The lighthouse has adorned countless postcards over many decades. And for years, visitors not only stopped to snap pictures of the famous lighthouse, they climbed 55 stairs to the top, where spectacular scenery awaited.

The upcoming restoration project will breathe new life into the tower.

“I want the work to start in May, so we can get the lighthouse completely finished by the end of the year. So, we’re looking at November-December to finish it … and in the spring, being able to reopen it for tours,” says Bill Raymond, who’s in charge of the city’s historic properties.

“The flood waters and the surge washed out part of the brick interior. So, that’s part of what we have to replace. We have to completely redo the electrical [wiring], which was destroyed in the storm. Repair and replace the door. Put a new fence around it. New irrigation system. So, it’s going to look like it did before the storm when we get through with it,” said Raymond.

Along with restoring the lighthouse itself, plans are in the works to build a brand new visitors center on the north side of U.S. Highway 90 directly across from the tower.

“This is a whole new structure. It will be a 25,000-square-foot, two-story structure that … has some elements of Beauvoir in it. It will be a very traditional design that I think the community will be proud of,” said Raymond.

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Information from: WLOX-TV, www.wlox.com