Tchefuncte River Range Rear Light, Madisonville Louisiana

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In the war of 1812, the Tchefuncte River (also spelled Chefunti, Chifuncta, etc.) distinguished itself as a Naval Yard. Madisonville, just above the mouth, remains as a small shipyard and yacht harbor.

A tower was erected at the mouth of the river in 1838 with a Fifth Order lens, its 10 lamps visible 11 miles. The lighthouse was rebuilt in 1857, about the same time as New Canal, across the lake. The 1886 light list shows the light on a 34-foot white tower, 38 feet above the lake and visible 11 miles.

Some rebuilding took place in 1867. Also that year, the lantern from the lighthouse at Cat Island was shipped to Tchefuncte. The Cat Island tower had been damaged by a hurricane and burned at the outset of the war. Installation of the lantern was halted for four weeks in August and September 1867, by the Yellow Fever epidemic that swept through the Gulf Coast. The rebuilding was completed in early 1868.

The Station received the usual minor repairs and renovations until August 19th-20^th, 1888, when a storm swept away all but the keeper's quarters and the tower. The outside kitchen, woodshed, washhouse, boathouse, and picket fence were among the structures destroyed.

The lighthouse is presently in full service, although automated. A black verge Stripe on the white tower improves its visibility as a daytime range marker.

The lighthouse is constructed of brick and is 30 feet tall. It is painted white with a black vertical stripe. It has a 250mm condensing panel light.

The Keeper's dwelling and other structures have all been removed.

(1983)

(1983)