New Canal Light, Lighthouse in New Orleans, US
New Canal Light is a lighthouse in New Orleans with a two-story white structure topped by a black lantern room positioned near the waters of Lake Pontchartrain. The building now operates as a museum and education center displaying exhibits focused on local ecology and maritime heritage.
The lighthouse was built in 1838 to guide vessels through the New Basin Canal and subsequently required major structural reinforcements. Significant reconstructions occurred in 1855, 1890, and 1901 as the building endured water and weather damage.
The lighthouse has a rare distinction in American maritime heritage for having been staffed by female keepers for extended periods. This aspect of its past is woven into the stories visitors encounter while exploring the exhibits today.
The lighthouse stands at an accessible location right along the water with open views across the lake. Visitors should be prepared for variable weather conditions near the shore, so appropriate clothing is advisable.
Caroline Riddle, one of the lighthouse keepers, took decisive action in 1915 during a hurricane with extraordinarily low barometric pressure to keep the lens operational. This storm is recorded as one of the most extreme weather events in American meteorological history.
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