New Orleans Lighthouse destroyed by hurricane Katrina

New Canal Lighthouse, New Orleans Louisiana

Date added: October 16, 2023 Categories: Louisiana Lighthouse

A canal was begun in the early 1836's, supposedly to connect the Mississippi River or at least downtown New Orleans with Lake Pontchartrain, and was to be called "New Canal".

The entrance to New Canal was marked by a lighthouse in 1838.

The lake terminus of the canal became a small harbor and in 1834, $25,008 was authorized for building the lighthouse, the same amount authorized for Port Pontchartrain, but a Portion was to be used for additional beacons and buoys. Whether this Structure was brick, as were others in the area built in the Same Period, or a light on the keeper's quarters is unknown.

The light was listed as unrepairable in 1854, as was the Bayou St. John Light, and was rebuilt as a Fifth Order Light on the keeper's dwelling in 1855 for $6,900. The lantern showed a fixed white light with nine lamps 33 feet above sea level and visible for 13 miles. The Shingle roof was replaced in 1869 with tiles to avoid fires started by sparks from Passing steamers and the Station Stovepipe.

On February 25, 1890, the lighthouse was discontinued and a lantern hung from a Pole in its place. The next day, the old building was sold at public auction and torn down. The Present two-story white frame dwelling was erected, on iron Pilings with a Fifth Order lens on top. The light was then 49 feet above sea level. There is some evidence that the building may have been moved in about 1900-1910 to cement pilings nearby.

An 1886 survey of the site shows the light approximately 1,000 feet north of the natural shoreline, at the end of the east jetty. One vague report indicates that the light may have been closer to shore. Landfill projects have extended the shoreline to the lighthouse site, which now barely juts out into the lake.

The New Canal Lighthouse is still very much active. Some two dozen Coast Guardsmen man the Station and are responsible for all rescue work in Lake Pontchartrain and the bayou country Surrounding the Greater New Orleans area.

In 2005, hurricanes Katrina and Rita caused significant damage to the lighthouse and it was demolished.