South Pass Range Lights

South Pass Range Lights is a 35-meter skeletal tower with a cylindrical utility building located at the mouth of the Mississippi River Delta. The structure sits at one of the most critical navigation points for vessels heading toward Louisiana ports.

The first light station at South Pass started operations in 1832 under keeper Henry Heistand. It marked the beginning of guided navigation through one of America's most important waterways.

The name Port Eads comes from James Buchanan Eads, an engineer who deepened the Mississippi River channel for commerce. Visitors can still sense the historical link between this light tower and the growth of New Orleans as a major port.

The tower is visible from the water and serves as a clear landmark for vessels navigating the delta channels. Access is challenging by land, so visitors should consider taking a boat tour or viewing it from an observation point on shore.

During Hurricane Katrina in 2005, this light tower was the sole structure at Port Eads that survived the storm's destructive forces. This resilience makes it a remarkable symbol of engineering amid one of America's most hazardous coastal regions.

Location: Plaquemines Parish

Inception: 1832

Height: 35 m

GPS coordinates: 29.01528,-89.16694

Latest update: December 14, 2025 12:22