Sabine Bank Light

Sabine Bank Light is a lighthouse constructed from iron and caisson materials, standing in the Gulf of Mexico south of the Sabine River mouth. The structure marks a dangerous shallow area that posed risks to passing vessels.

Congress approved funding for this lighthouse between 1900 and 1901 after numerous vessels ran aground on the dangerous Sabine Bank shoals. The structure was built to help guide ships more safely through those treacherous waters.

The structure reflects early twentieth-century maritime engineering practices, and its original lantern room is displayed at Lions Park in Sabine Pass. Visitors can see how this equipment guided ships through dangerous waters.

The lighthouse has operated on solar power since 1971 to guide vessels through shipping channels near Port Arthur. The structure sits in open water and is only accessible by boat.

Local fishermen call this navigation aid The Eighteen Mile Light, named for its distance from the Coast Guard Lifeboat Station. The nickname reflects how working sailors measure their location and find their way on these waters.

Location: Jefferson County

Inception: 1904

Made from material: caisson, iron

GPS coordinates: 29.47270,-93.72260

Latest update: December 14, 2025 17:00