Berwick in St. Mary Parish, Louisiana — The American South (West South Central)

Southwest Reef Lighthouse

Photographed by Cajun Scrambler, May 13, 2005

1. Southwest Reef Lighthouse Marker

Inscription. Established on September 1, 1859, this lighthouse stood near the entrance to the Atchafalaya Bay on the Gulf Coast of Louisiana. Its design, one of only two built in the United States of this type, is a square pyramid, fully enclosed in boiler plate. Originally, it had a fixed white oil light standing 54 feet above mean high water, which was visible for 14 miles. This lighthouse remained active until March 30, 1916; it was decommissioned when the Point Au Fer Reef Lighthouse was built. For over seventy years, the Southwest Reef Lighthouse stood marking the passage into the Atchafalaya Bay as a day beacon until it was moved ashore and fully restored by the Town of Berwick in October 1987.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Waterways & Vessels. In addition, it is included in the Lighthouses series list. A significant historical date for this entry is March 30, 1916.

Location. 29° 41.656′ N, 91° 12.981′ W. Marker is in Berwick, Louisiana, in St. Mary Parish. It can be reached from the intersection of Bellview Front Street and Lima Street, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 3246 Bellview Front Street, Berwick LA 70342, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Louisiana’s River Parishes,

in Acadiana — Cajun Country,

and specifically in Bayou Country. It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Deep South,

on the Gulf Coast,

and in the Great River Road Region.

Globally, it is in North America,

a Gulf of Mexico state,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain,

Acadia,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

the Louisiana Purchase,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Twin City Gospel Temple (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Welcome to Berwick

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(about 800 feet away); Morgan City Floodwalls (approx. 0.4 miles away); Atchafalaya River (approx. 0.4 miles away); Charles Morgan (approx. half a mile away); a different marker also named Atchafalaya River (approx. half a mile away); The Governor Jared Young Sanders Memorial Monument (approx. 0.6 miles away); Sacred Heart Of Jesus Church (approx. 0.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Berwick.

Photographed by Cajun Scrambler, May 13, 2005

2. Southwest Reef Lighthouse Marker

Southwest Reef Lighthouse image. Click for full size.

May 13, 2005

3. Southwest Reef Lighthouse

Credits. This page was last revised on March 1, 2024. It was originally submitted on July 28, 2015. This page has been viewed 778 times since then and 47 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on July 28, 2015. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.