Sand Island Light, Lighthouse in Mobile County, Alabama.
Sand Island Light is a brown stone conical tower standing 131 feet tall at the entrance to Mobile Bay. The structure served mariners navigating these waters for more than a century before its light was extinguished.
The original lighthouse was built in 1838 but destroyed by Confederate soldiers during the Civil War to prevent Union forces from monitoring Fort Morgan. The tower was later rebuilt and continued guiding ships until its light was turned off in 1971.
This light guided ships through one of the Gulf's busiest waterways and marked a critical passage for commerce and travel. Its presence shaped how mariners understood and navigated these coastal waters.
The lighthouse sits on Sand Island and is surrounded by water, so access requires a boat. The site faces ongoing erosion from coastal waves and weather, which affects visitability depending on conditions.
A hurricane in 1906 struck the station and killed Assistant Keeper Andrew Hansen along with two others stationed there. This tragedy shows how dangerous life could be for those working at this isolated coastal post.
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