In 1830s, German and Irish immigrants built a new canal to connect Lake Pontchartrain to the city of New Orleans. Before completion, Congress authorized a light at the entrance to New Canal. The lighthouse has been rebuilt several times and one was auctioned. 
The current New Canal Lighthouse is a replica that was built after severe damage from Hurricane Katrina and Hurricane Rita in 2005. The pilings were destroyed but the lighthouse remained mostly intact until a cold front destroyed what was left of the lighthouse. The wood from the 1890 lighthouse is now a part of the current lighthouse. Through the efforts of the Lake Pontchartrain Foundation the lighthouse was restored and reopened in 2013.