Point Bolivar Lighthouse

The Bolivar Point Lighthouse symbolizes resilience and a beacon of hope in the face of natural disasters. Constructed in 1872, Bolivar Point Lighthouse is 117-foot-tall and has been guiding mariners through Galveston Bay and impacting the growth of nearby cities such as Galveston, Texas City, and Houston​. 

One of the few 19th-century lighthouses remaining on the Gulf Coast and one of only two iron lighthouses in Texas, the Bolivar Point Lighthouse was first lit on November 19, 1872. It served faithfully until May 29, 1933, when it retired. 

During the Galveston Hurricane of 1900, the deadliest natural disaster in US history, the lighthouse withstood savage winds and became a sanctuary for 125 refugees. Many of these individuals had escaped the storm surge that engulfed their train by wading through waist-deep water. Inside the lighthouse, they survived on rainwater and limited food supplies. 

Again, in the hurricane of 1915, with winds reaching 126 miles per hour, the lighthouse swayed but did not fall. It sheltered 61 people within its walls, who sat two to a step on the iron stairway. 

The lighthouse was declared obsolete at the peak of the Great Depression in 1933 and turned 150 years old in November 2022. 

In 2015, Mark Boyt and Michael Maxwell, descendants of the lighthouse's first private owners, established a foundation dedicated to its restoration and preservation. 

Their vision extends beyond mere repair; they aim to make the lighthouse accessible to the public again​.

Fun Facts & Cool Features

The original lighthouse, constructed in 1852, was made of cast iron sourced from the Baltimore foundry of Murray and Hazlehurst. However, it was dismantled during the Civil War to prevent its use by Union warships as a navigational aid.

Stories of paranormal activity around the Bolivar Lighthouse have been recorded. Some tales include strange shadows, mysterious mists, and fogs erupting from the lighthouse during storms. One of the more haunting stories is a rumor of a young man who allegedly killed his parents and then himself on the property. However, there is no historical record confirming this event.

The lighthouse is adjacent to the Houston Audubon Society's Horseshoe Marsh Bird Sanctuary. This proximity to a natural habitat enriches visitors' experience, combining historical exploration with the serenity and beauty of nature. 

While you can’t tour inside, a trip to Point Bolivar Lighthouse will add historical significance to a Bolivar Peninsula vacation. 

Getting There

Here's your step-by-step guide to make your trip easy, effortless, and enjoyable:

• Take I-45 south towards Galveston. This will lead you straight down Broadway.
• Continue along Broadway until you reach the beach/seawall. 
• Once you are at the seawall, turn left and proceed until you come across Ferry Road, which is marked by 2 stop lights.
• Turn left onto Ferry Road. This road will lead you to the Galveston-Port Bolivar ferry.
• Upon reaching Galveston, board the car ferry that will take you to Bolivar Peninsula. 
• After disembarking from the ferry, you'll find yourself about half a mile from the entrance to the Bolivar Lighthouse.
• Continue driving until you reach 7th Street, then make a left turn. 
• Address: 419 Everett #385, Port Bolivar, TX 77650

Cost

There are no ticket fees since it's only viewable from the outside. However, once renovated, this could change. 

Prices are subject to change. Please check their website for updates.