Point Bolivar Lighthouse, Historical lighthouse in Port Bolivar, United States

The Point Bolivar Lighthouse is a 116-foot brick structure on the Texas coast with a cylindrical form reinforced by cast iron plating. The building sits on a peninsula point and is visible from far away, displaying the classic features of a historic American lighthouse.

The original structure was built by the federal government in 1852 to guide ships into Galveston Bay. During the Civil War, Confederate soldiers destroyed it to prevent Union ships from using it for navigation.

The lighthouse's name comes from its site on the Bolivar Peninsula, and it has stayed in private hands since rancher Elmer V. Boyt bought it in 1947; his family still owns it. The 1970 film My Sweet Charlie, with Patty Duke and Al Freeman Jr., was shot at the tower and the caretaker's house beside it.

The lighthouse sits on a peninsula point in Port Bolivar and is best explored during daylight when you can see the structural details and surroundings clearly. Visitors should note that the area is exposed, so it is wise to wear shoes with good grip.

The 1970 film My Sweet Charlie, starring Patty Duke and Al Freeman Jr., was shot at the lighthouse and the adjacent caretaker's house. The tower has rusted to a dark brown over more than 150 years of erosion, and it stands beside the Houston Audubon Society's Horseshoe Marsh Bird Sanctuary.