Amite River Lighthouse, Livingston Parish, Louisiana
File prepared by D.N. Pardue



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From the book entitled "The Free State - A History and Place-Names Study
of Livingston Parish" by the members of the Livingston Parish American
Revolution Bicentennial Committee in cooperation with the Livingston 
Parish Police Jury and the Louisiana American Revolution Bicentennial
Commission, 1976.  Reprinted by permission.  Dedicated to the memory of
Reuben Cooper and Raymond Riggs.

THE AMITE RIVER LIGHTHOUSE was established near the mouth of the river in Lake Maurepas

in 1882.  A fixed white light shone from a tubular lantern hoisted on a staff above the

gable of the lighthouse dwelling, some 45 feet above the mean high-water mark.

     The lighthouse station was a one-story white frame dwelling on piles, with a pyramided

fog-bell tower adjoining the lighthouse.  The Bell was struck by machine ever 30 seconds 

during foggy weather. (1)

     According to Mr. and Mrs. J.R. Crawford of Carthage Landing, James Madison "Mack"

Crawford (1861 - 1928) was the first lighthouse keeper.  The Crawfords said Mack Crawford

lived there with his family, and that J.R. Crawford's father, Raymond Crawford was born at

the lighthouse about 1888. --Aubra Fontenot and Calvin C. Fayard.

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(1) List of Lights and Fog Signals on the Atlantic and Gulf Coasts of the United States.
US Government Printing Office, 1899.

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