By Cyndi Sellers

On National Lighthouse Day, Aug. 7, the Cameron Preservation Alliance announced it had met its fundraising goal for re-building the Sabine Pass Lighthouse stairwell, thanks to a donation from Cheniere Energy. Cheniere donated $18,500 to the design and fabrication of the stairs, adding to their 2020 donation of $10,000.

CPA President Andy Tingler said this generous donation meets the original cost estimate provided by international Chimney/Commonwealth for design, fabrication, and installation of the free-standing staircase, which is similar to the Great Point Lighthouse in Nantucket. The Sabine Pass stair treads will have the same design as the original stairs but will not be attached to the wall, avoiding further damage to the interior.

Donors have sponsored 76 of the 96 steps to be built. It is not too late to sponsor a step, Tingler says. The Alliance is only waiting for finalization of the design and a permit from the Corps of Engineers to repair the washed-out road to the lighthouse. In 2019-2020, International Chimney did restoration work at the lighthouse, repairing brickwork and installing a new door and a temporary roof to protect the aging structure.