Middle Bay Light, Mobile Alabama
The Mobile Bay Light is one of Alabama's few navigational landmarks and is by far the most interesting. The one-and-a-half-story hexagonal light is unusual in that it was constructed as both a residence and a light. Reputedly constructed as a replica of the Hooper's Strait Light off the Maryland Coast, it is thought to be one of only a few remaining lights of this type.
On March 3rd, 1883 an Act was approved appropriating $19,000 to mark the recently completed Mobile ship channel. Under this appropriation, the Mobile Bay Light station was established in December of 1885. At that time the light exhibited a fixed white light varied by a red flash every 30 seconds.
In 1905 the light was rebuilt and it is believed that it is a duplicate of the original light. In 1935 the light was automated and the structure has been vacant since that date.
The light was saved from demolition in 1967 by the efforts of concerned citizens and is currently being restored.
Building Description
The Middle Bay Light is a one-and-one-half-story hexagonal structure constructed of wood on metal pilings in approximately 12 feet of water, and situated near the middle of Mobile Bay.
The structure measures 18 feet 8 inches on a side, excluding the gallery which surrounds it. The bearing walls consist of rough-sawn 4" x 6" studs sheathed with rough-sawn 1" by 12" boards and covered with 1" by 6" horizontal siding.
The first-floor framing consists of 9" x 5" I-beams radiating from the center post to each corner post; corner posts are tied with the same section and the perimeter of the gallery is framed with 9" by 3" channel sections.
The continuous wooden gallery that surrounds the structure has cast-iron railings and boat-launching davits on the north and south. There are two iron ladders down to the water line on two opposite sides.
The hexagonal hipped roof is covered with slate and has flat "L" shaped terra cotta ridge caps. A hexagonal deck rises 2 feet out of the center of the hipped roof, supporting a mast and modern light 18' 8" above the roof.
There are two exterior double doors, one on the north wall and one on the south wall. The first-floor windows are double-hung wooden sash with six-over-six lights; the second-floor windows have four-over-four lights. Two dormers containing double windows project on opposite sides of the sloping roof.
Interior: The basic hexagon is divided down the center in a generally north-south direction by the enclosed stairway in the center and flanked by a band containing closets, lockers, and latrine. The remaining space on each side of this band is divided into two irregularly shaped rooms of equal size. The second floor has a similar arrangement.
Access to the main floor is provided by two metal ladders, rising from the water line 16 feet below. The enclosed spiral stairs in the lighthouse are framed into the center mast and enclosed in a hexagonal space.
