Live Local: Pascagoula’s Round Island Lighthouse

In today’s edition of Live Local, a series you can catch on WXXV on Thursdays, Lorraine Weiskopf takes us to the City of Pascagoula featuring one of their historic landmarks.

Pascagoula’s Round Island Lighthouse sits at the western gateway of the city.

In its over 160 years of existence, the lighthouse has survived multiple hurricanes and undergone numerous renovations.

Built in 1859, the lighthouse originally sat on Round Island which is five miles offshore. On a clear day you can see the island from Pascagoula Beach. Liz Ford with the Historic Preservation Commission said, “It was a place you went picnicking, swimming. Like I said, the light house was the center point then it fell into disrepair over the years.”

In the late 70s, the lighthouse was deeded to the city. “It continued there and It was a lot of fun for a lot of people, but it continued deteriorating. In the fall of 1998, City Councilwoman Sarah Jim Boykin was very distressed about the lighthouse and had an article in the local paper asking all interested in protecting the lighthouse to come to City Hall. I’m not going to say half the town came, but it was standing room only.”

With the overwhelming support for the preservation of the lighthouse, plans were made to start the groundwork for restoration then there was Hurricane George. “The lighthouse underwent 17 hours of hurricane force winds and it toppled and broke and you just had the base of the lighthouse left.”

The Round Island Lighthouse Preservation Society was formed. Then Katrina came and the Lighthouse tumbled once again. Outside funds were obtained to rebuild the city’s beloved lighthouse.

In 2010, brick by brick, the Lighthouse was moved to the mainland, restored, and rededicated in 2015. “It’s a gateway and focal point of the city and we have the lighthouse park now and when you want to do something you say the lighthouse and everybody immediately knows what you’re talking about.”