Cultural Heritage· 1848· Biloxi

Biloxi Lighthouse

National Register of Historic Places

The only lighthouse in America that stands in the median of a highway. Built in 1848, the 65-foot cast-iron tower survived the Civil War, Hurricane Camille, and Hurricane Katrina — though Katrina's surge buried it to the gallery level. It was fully restored and reopened in 2010. Maria Younghans kept the light burning for 53 years, from 1867 to 1920, making her one of the longest-serving lighthouse keepers in U.S. history. The lighthouse sits in the center of U.S. Route 90, traffic passing on both sides, because the highway was built around it — Biloxi refused to tear it down.

Quick facts

·Only lighthouse in America that stands in the median of a highway — U.S. Route 90 splits around it.
·65 feet tall, cast-iron construction, built in 1848.
·Maria Younghans kept the light burning for 53 consecutive years (1867–1920) — one of the longest tenures in U.S. lighthouse history.
·Katrina's surge submerged it to the gallery level. Fully restored and reopened in 2010.
·The city refused to demolish it when the highway was widened — they built the road around it instead.
·Listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
·Climb to the top for a 360-degree view of the coast. Open for tours seasonally — check the Biloxi Visitors Center for hours.