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Located near Gulfport, Mississippi, Cat Island was home to a lighthouse that stood resilient through natural disasters and historical conflicts. Constructed in 1831 under the supervision of Winslow Lewis, Cat Island Light was architecturally identical to the Pass Christian Lighthouse in Pass Christian, Mississippi. The early years of the lighthouse were turbulent, marked by a severe hurricane in 1855 that destroyed the keeper’s dwelling and inflicted significant damage on the tower. Despite this, repair efforts ensured the continuation of its operation.
The American Civil War introduced a new era of control for the lighthouse, placing it under the management of the Confederate Lighthouse Service. Post-war, the compounded effects of battle and time rendered the structure beyond repair, leading to its eventual demolition.
In 1871, a new screw-pile lighthouse was constructed. This structure served as a navigational aid, enduring through countless storms and adapting to changes in technology until it was replaced by automated lighted channel markers in 1937 due to obsolescence.
During World War II, the lighthouse was repurposed by the government for coastal defense. However, following the war, it was abandoned and gradually succumbed to decay.
The personal stories associated with the lighthouse, including those of Daniel and Elizabeth McCall, who were keepers in 1899, enrich its history further. The couple’s life was closely intertwined with the lighthouse until Daniel’s death in 1904. It was here at Cat Island Lighthouse, on June 25, 1904, that Daniel McCall died of a heart attack while sitting at his cherished Ben Butler writing desk. Elizabeth could not get anyone’s attention to come to her aid until the third day, and then, only by wading out in her long skirts in water up to her neck. Elizabeth was formally given the appointment of keeper for two months, managing the beacon alone until September 21, 1904. Her tenacity and commitment during this challenging period were remarkable. Elizabeth’s experiences, later published in a book, provide a unique window into the daily life and struggles of a lighthouse keeper.
Although the physical structure no longer exists, elements of its legacy persist; notably, the lantern room was relocated to the Tchefuncte River Light Station, where it remains in use today, preserving a piece of maritime history.
Though its physical form may have vanished into the depths of history, its light continues to shine bright in the annals of maritime lore, a beacon of inspiration for generations yet to come.
This story appeared in the
May/Jun 2024 edition of Lighthouse Digest Magazine. The print edition contains more stories than our internet edition, and each story generally contains more photographs - often many more - in the print edition. For subscription information about the print edition, click here.
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