Officials hope lighthouse serves as beacon for tourism at The Harbor
By Justin Jones: Rockwall County News
Thursday, July 19, 2007
Reminiscent of the famous lighthouses in Maine, a 35-foot tall and 8-foot wide lighthouse was installed in Rockwall on Thursday, July 12 for the jetty at The Harbor.
“It is a working lighthouse on the end of the jetty that is reminiscent of famous lighthouses along the eastern seaboard,” said Brad Griggs, parks and recreation director. “It won't be bringing in ships through the fog, of course, but it is kind of an icon for The Harbor project.”
According to Griggs, the lighthouse was in the original plan for The Harbor but was taken out and put back in toward the end of the project.
The lighthouse is made of steel, was manufactured in Michigan and installed by Rogers O'Brien, the construction manager who built the public portion of The Harbor. When The Harbor was built, according to Griggs, the lighthouse had been planned and electrical conduit was run to the end of the jetty for the placement of the structure.
Griggs also said a subbase was put in at the end of the jetty to support the the lighthouse.
“It's going to add a new dimension to The Harbor,” Griggs said. “It will be the highest vertical structure we have on the public portion on The Harbor. It is basically three and a half stories tall, probably about the same height as the fountain jets in the fountain bowl. The lighthouse will be unique to North Texas and The Harbor.” |
