Type:
Year Established:
1872
Existing:
No
Source:
(Cipra, Lighthouses, Lightships, and the Gulf of Mexico, pp. 193-194)
LOCATION
Location:
Matagorda Bay
U.S. State:
Texas
Country:
United States
OWNER & ACCESS
Open to Public:
No
STRUCTURE
Year Discontinued:
1875
Disposition:
Destroyed in 1875
Year Tower Established:
1872
Tower Foundation:
Screwpile
Fog Signal Building?:
No
Keeper's Quarters?:
No
Year Keeper's Quarters:
1872
OPTICS
Original Optic Type:
Sixth Order
Year Original Lens Installed:
1872
Private Aid:
No
USCG Access to Optics:
No
Entered by:
Entered Date:
Jan 15, 2018
The twin light stations established at Decros Point in Matagorda Bay in 1872 were called the East Shoal Light Station and West Shoal Light Station respectively. The West Shoal Light, nearest the Gulf, showed a white light, while the East Shoal held a red light. These two stations provided range lights, obstruction markers, and guidance into the Saluria Harbor. Unfortunately, they did not stand long. In September of 1875 they were swept away by rampaging breakers. Only submerged ruins are left behind to mark the spots where they once stood. Rather than rebuild the light stations, the Light-House Board installed range lights at Decros Point.