New Orleans History -- Lake Pontchartrain
Thursday, December 05, 2024
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Pointe Aux Herbes Lighthouse

 

 

Located at New Orleans' Eastern shore it was burned by vandals. The top light section has been removed and held for safe keeping until funding can be acquired to renovate the structure. Some locals, who grew up near this lighthouse call the area 'Southpoint'. Photo Source:  http://www.uscg.mil/hq/g-cp/history/WEBLIGHTHOUSES/pointeauxherbes.JPG 

 

Nearest Town or City:
Point Aux Herbes, Louisiana, United States

Location: South shore of Lake Ponchartrain.

Notes:
This lighthouse was deactivated after World War II. Vandals burned it down in the 1950s.

Description of Tower: Lantern on roof of wooden dwelling, on brick piers.

 

This light is not operational

Date Established: 1875

Date Deactivated: c. 1945

Optics: 1875: Fifth order Fresnel lens.

Current Use: Destroyed.

Source: http://www.lhdigest.com/database/uniquelighthouse.cfm?value=948 

Lighthouse Depot Online--Photo: U.S. Coast Guard

An interesting "aside". When asked how to pronounce "Pointe Aux Herbes" I was told by a friend "That's wunnadem woids ya gotta be French to say, Mr. Lake! The best I can give it to you is as "Pwant oh-ehhbs"....but you have to say it like you are nauseated and sorta draw out the end like you're disgusted......! Sorry, that's the best I can do, but if you have a copy of the late, great Rev. Msgr. Jules O. Daigle, M.A., S.T.L.'s book, A Dictionary of the Cajun Language, he has a pronunciation guide in the introduction that is bar none! Lessee what he has to say about Pointe Aux Herbes......."oi as wa in wash", "au/aux as o in tote or note". "The letter "h" takes the aspirated sound as the English H in hair or high, but it is silent in such words as heure - hour, or herbe - grass. "