Lighthouses are among the most unique structures ever built. Interestingly, not many people are familiar with Alabama’s former or current lighthouses. Until the mid 1960s, these unique structures guided ships in and out of Mobile Bay. One lighthouse in particular that did this was Middle Bay Light, which you can read all about below.

Middle Bay Light, also known as Middle Bay Lighthouse and Mobile Bay Lighthouse, is one of Alabama's most interesting lighthouses.
flickr/Maggie Pyle
Because there aren't many screw-pile lighthouses left out at sea in the U.S., Middle Bay Light is also one of the few lighthouses left of its kind.
This wooden, hexagonal-shaped lighthouse, which is located in the center of Mobile Bay, was activated in 1885.
facebook/Alabama Lighthouse Association USCG.mil/history
Red flashes went off every 30 seconds, and there was also a fog bell that would ring whenever necessary.

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Middle Bay Light was designed after the lighthouses in Chesapeake Bay.
wikimedia commons/Altairisfar
Until Middle Bay Light was automated in 1935, keepers usually lived there to operate and maintain it.
Because Middle Bay Light didn't receive around-the-clock maintenance for many decades, it sadly fell into disrepair.
Max Pixel
In 1967, Middle Bay Light was deactivated. On December 30, 1974, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places.
The Alabama Lighthouse Association wanted to move Middle Bay Light to Battleship Park because they believed it would receive more visitors and be easier to maintain.
flickr/Maggie Pyle
The Alabama Historic Commission voted against this and had it restored. Today, the lighthouse continues to stand in the center of Mobile Bay.

Have you ever seen Middle Bay Light in person? If so, what did you think?

Another wonderful place to experience incredible views of Mobile Bay is Fort Morgan. You can read all about this historic site in our previous article: The Remnants Of This Historic Fortress In Alabama Are Hauntingly Beautiful.

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