Lighthouse dedication ceremony honoring former Gulfport mayor

A lighthouse dedication ceremony took place at Jones Park in Gulfport.

The ceremony honored former Gulfport Mayor George Schloegel. He was also a distinguished business leader who played a role in this lighthouse’s reconstruction after Hurricane Katrina.

The lighthouse was originally built in 1886 and rebuilt after 2005. Gulfport Mayor Billy Hewes said, “We benefit from a lot of great leaders throughout our history, but George Schloegel was a standout, a resident historian. He understands the importance of symbols, the importance of service. One of his initiatives was making sure this icon, this lighthouse, was properly represented as a symbol of Gulfport.”