Franks Island, LA

The Louisiana Purchase prompted President Thomas Jefferson to engage renowned architect and engineer, Benjamin Latrobe to design a “monumental lighthouse welcoming foreign trade” serving as a navigational aid at the entrance of the Mississippi River. Latrobe designed a magnificent lighthouse to be built of marble, brick and other stone. Frank’s Island, a small island, north of the Northeast pass of the Mississippi was chosen as the site. While engineers were in agreement that site was adequate for the massive project, there was not a contractor willing to undertake the project. Construction finally began in 1818. By 1819, construction crews were reporting cracks in the tower. Ten days after the tower was first lit in March 1820, the foundation began to settle and the tower began to moan and groan and finally fell over. The cost of the tower and Keeper’s Quarters was $85,500. In 1821, Winslow Lewis, a designer of American lighthouse reflector systems, was hired to rebuild the tower on a new foundation, using existing materials. He agreed to rebuild the tower (North-East Pass Light) and guarantee its foundation for $10,000. It should be noted Lewis’ tower design, while similar to Benjamin Latrobe’s, did not include the elaborate colonnade or Keeper’s Dwelling envisioned by President Thomas Jefferson.

Harbour Lights Collectible Replica in a Limited Edition of 1,200 pieces.