For 152 years, the Bolivar Point Lighthouse has stood tall near the ferry landing from Galveston, guiding ships and serving as a coastal landmark. Now, a local group is working hard to save this historic tower so it can stand strong for another hundred years or more.
A Historic Beacon Since 1872
Built in 1872 by the U.S. government at the tip of Bolivar Peninsula, the lighthouse was designed to guide ships safely into Galveston Harbor. For 61 years, its powerful light helped sailors navigate dangerous waters, until it was retired in 1933 when modern navigation systems took over.
From Lighthouse to Ranch Property
In 1947, the federal government sold the property as surplus. E.V. Boyt and his sister, Ila Maxwell, bought it with plans to run cattle on the land and use the nearby houses as ranch headquarters.
At one point, their ranch covered almost the entire Bolivar Peninsula. Today, the Houston Audubon Society is one of the largest landowners in the area.
Preserving a Coastal Treasure
The Boyt-Maxwell family still owns the lighthouse and has set up a nonprofit organisation to raise $2.5 million for its preservation. The Bolivar Point Lighthouse Foundation has already restored some of its original glory by repainting the tower in black-and-white stripes and replacing its steel door.
An Engineering Marvel
The lighthouse is built of brick with strong buttresses and is wrapped in cast iron. Inside, a spiral iron staircase climbs over 100 feet to the lantern room. This robust design made it a life-saving refuge during disasters.
A Safe Haven in Storms
During the catastrophic 1900 hurricane that destroyed Galveston, more than 100 people took shelter inside the lighthouse. In 1915, it again became a refuge for 61 people fleeing another hurricane.
Even in 2008, during Hurricane Ike, the tower withstood the storm, although its metal crown was damaged. Restoration work included removing and repairing the entire top section.
One of the Last Texas Coast Lighthouses
Today, the Bolivar Point Lighthouse is one of only seven surviving lighthouses on the Texas coast. The foundation plans to open it to the public once restoration is complete. Until then, visitors can track its progress at open houses announced on bolivarpointlighthouse.org.
