Middle Bay Lighthouse

- Constructed in 1985, the hexagonal lighthouse is in the middle of Mobile Bay between Mobile and the Eastern Shore. This structure was known as both the Middle Bay Lighthouse and the Mobile Bay Lighthouse.
- The lighthouse was operated by a succession of keepers and their families that lived on the lighthouse.
- In 1916 a lighthouse keeper and his wife had a baby in the lighthouse. They faced a challenge when the mother was unable to nurse. The keeper did not want to send his family ashore, so they ingeniously built a small corral on the lighthouse’s gallery and transported a milk cow to the station. Not long after, the family and the cow were evacuated due to a hurricane. The lighthouse survived the storm, but not without damage and had to be repaired.
- The Middle Bay Lighthouse was electrified in 1935, but there were no keepers present to care for the lighthouse, and it fell into a state of disrepair. It was later refurbished in 2010.
- The lighthouse was placed on the National Register of Historic Places on December 30, 1974.
- In 2003, Dauphin Island Sea Lab and the Mobile Bay National Estuary Program added a real-time weather station. It is called ARCOS (Alabama’s Realtime Coastal Observing System) and is still in use today providing important maritime information.
- It still serves as a navigational aid to pleasure boats and ships coming in and out of the port of Mobile.
- Visitors can view the Middle Bay Light through Historic Blakey State Park. They offer seasonal cruises to this lighthouse.
Reference:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Middle_Bay_Light
https://www.lighthousefriends.com
Sand Island Lighthouse

- Sand Island Lighthouse is located about three miles from the mouth of Mobile Bay between Mobile Point and Dauphin Island.
- This is the 3rd lighthouse in the same spot. The first lighthouse was built in 1837 and stood 55 feet tall. It was Alabama’s first and only seacoast light. Due to erosion around the old lighthouse, another new lighthouse was constructed with a 1st order Fresnel lens in 1859.
- This lighthouse had a short existence with the outbreak of the Civil War. Confederate forces removed the lens from the two-year-old lighthouse and hid it. Union Forces took control of the Island on December 20, 1862, and installed a fourth-order lens in the tower to serve as a lookout for spying on the Confederates. However, a group of Confederates under John W. Glenn went to the island to destroy the lighthouse. They placed seventy pounds of gunpowder under the tower, lit the fuse and retreated as the bricks rained down.
- Work began on the current lighthouse in 1871. It was finished later that year and stood 132 feet.

- Tragedy struck on September 27, 1906, when a strong hurricane hit the station and washed the Island away and took the lives of the First Assistant Keeper Andrew Hansen and his wife Emma.
- The Sand Island Lighthouse is listed on the Lighthouse Digest Doomsday List, as one of the most endangered lighthouses in the U.S.
- The Sand Island Lighthouse is owned by the town of Dauphin Island. Hopefully, it will be fully restored to its original condition when funding is available.
- Visitors can see the lighthouse from a distance from the east side of Dauphin Island. But if you want a closer look, you will need to go by boat.
Reference:
http://alabamalighthouses.com/Sand%20Island%20Lighthouse.html
https://www.lighthousefriends.com
Artist Bio
Gwen Ainsworth
The Alabama Tourist
As a native of Mobile, Alabama, my connections to this city run deep. It is not only my home, but a wellspring of inspiration for my photography. I seek to capture the spirit of these landscapes, intricate details, and the charm that defines our Gulf Coast. My camera is a form of therapy and a way that I express my creativity and self-expression.
With my photography, I aim to freeze moments in time, allowing the viewer to experience the same sense of wonder and emotion that I do. I strive to find the interplay of light and shadow in my work. The beauty of Mobile and the surroundings areas are my canvas.
With a Certificate of Photography from the University of South Alabama combined with years of experience have honed my technical skills and artistic vision. I have been fortunate to receive “Best of Show” and “First Place” awards for my work in various photography contests. These accolades serve as validation of my commitment to capturing the beauty of this region.
I take great pride in presenting my photography to you not just as images, but as enduring investments in both beauty and quality. Each image has been professionally framed and dry-mounted to ensure that your chosen piece retains its pristine condition. When you invest in one of my photographs you acquire a timeless work of art, professionally prepared to withstand the test of time.
Photography is not just about taking pictures; it is about storytelling and conveying emotions. Through my lens, I invite you to explore the soul of Mobile and the Gulf Coast with me. My photographic journey continues on my website, www.thealabamatourist.com and on Instagram @the_alabama_tourist. Join me as we discover the beauty of our own captivating corner of the world.