Some of you who follow my blog know I live in Texas. The
later part of the month of May and first part of June this year, we experienced
several inches of rain in my area but had no flooding at my house. Meanwhile,
many folks in Texas were not as fortunate. Some experienced flooding inside
their homes while other folks homes became unlivable. Worst of all, some homes
were washed away and if that wasn’t enough hardship for folks to bear, some lost family members to include pet(s).
About now you may be asking yourself what has this to do with
lighthouses. Watching the news and videos of the flood disasters around Texas, reminded
me of another flooding situation I learned of a few years ago while visiting a
lighthouse in northern California.
The lighthouse is Battery Point Lighthouse at Crescent City,
CA. It was built in 1856 and continues as an active light in spite of surviving
a tsunami in 1964. The keepers at the time, a man and his wife, watched from
the lighthouse on the hill as the twenty foot wall of water swept onto shore.
They reported watching the city’s buildings, cars, boats, and other items as
they were being tossed about, as well as seeing explosions light up the sky.
The keepers survived the tsunami, however, eleven people in Crescent City were
killed, several boats and many homes destroyed. This is another example of flooding
and devastation mankind has encountered.
At the time of my visit here in 1999, signs were posted along the main highway near Crescent City, warning everyone of possible tsunami in the area. To access the small island where the lighthouse sets, one must walk on the rocky ocean bottom at low tide over to the island. (Picture below). For a moment during my walk across there, I had an uncomfortable feeling when I remembered those signs.
America has survived many hardships through the years, and we continue to face them daily, some greater than others, but hope and vision help us want to survive.
At the time of my visit here in 1999, signs were posted along the main highway near Crescent City, warning everyone of possible tsunami in the area. To access the small island where the lighthouse sets, one must walk on the rocky ocean bottom at low tide over to the island. (Picture below). For a moment during my walk across there, I had an uncomfortable feeling when I remembered those signs.
America has survived many hardships through the years, and we continue to face them daily, some greater than others, but hope and vision help us want to survive.
Footnote:
In 1968 the lighthouse was replaced by a light on the jetty but the lighthouse remains in operation as a private aid to navigation. This lighthouse also serves as a museum with historical displays. The county Historical Society became responsible for operation of the lighthouse in 1969, and they provide live-in curators who take care of the light and museum.
In 1968 the lighthouse was replaced by a light on the jetty but the lighthouse remains in operation as a private aid to navigation. This lighthouse also serves as a museum with historical displays. The county Historical Society became responsible for operation of the lighthouse in 1969, and they provide live-in curators who take care of the light and museum.
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