The first 40 foot brick lighthouse was built and lit in September, 1822. Even though the light was visible for 10 miles, ships could not get any closer than 10 miles because of the shoals and it was difficult to see the light. Winston Lewis was contacted to increase the light, but mariners were still confused.

When Sand Island Lighthouse was built and lit in 1858, Mobile Point Lighthouse was downgraded to a harbor light with a very small lens. A pair of light towers were built on the site to help guide ships into the bay.

When the Civil War broke out and the Confederates took control of Ft. Morgan, the lighthouse was deactivated. In August of 1864 Union ships, commanded by Admiral David Farragut, approached Mobile Bay and fighting ensued with the Union capturing the fort on August 23. This battle caused major damage to the lighthouse. When the war ended, a wooden tower was placed and the damaged lighthouse torn down. The new lighthouse housed a sixth order Fresnel lens.

In February of 1873, a 30 foot iron tower lighthouse was built along with a keeper’s house. The military at the fort made for lousy light keepers so a civilian keeper was hired. Over the years, several light keepers were hired, one being James Chester Williams and his wife Delia between 1922-1929. He was paid $900 a year.

In 1963, a modern steel tower was built and the iron tower was abandoned and went to the scrap yard. Later it was refurbished and returned to Ft. Morgan. In 2004, the State of Alabama dismantled the original light. It was taken to Montgomery, Alabama awaiting restoration. The fourth order lens and the Sand Island Lighthouse lens are on display at the Ft. Morgan Museum.