Survived Earthquake Tremors For Over A Century

The original Point Arena Lighthouse, built here in 1870, was constructed of masonry. Atop its 100 foot tower the lantern contained a first order Fresnel lens. This location is just west of the San Andreas Fault in CA, which subjected the lighthouse to multiple earthquakes over the years. It survived the earlier earthquakes, but collapsed during the 1906 San Francisco earthquake. 

The replacement tower, pictured above, was completed in 1908 and constructed of reinforced concrete. This was the first time this “new material” was used to build a lighthouse. The supporting buttresses at the base of the tower have helped the lighthouse survive earthquake tremors for over a century. As part of the reconstruction, the height of the tower was increased from 100 to 115 feet. Instead of rebuilding the original multi-level keeper’s dwelling, which housed the keeper and his three assistants plus their families, lighthouse officials agreed to build four separate cottages for the keepers and their families.

During World War II, several military actions were witnessed from this lighthouse. One example is when the U.S. Navy defeated three Japanese destroyers on 12 Aug 1945, two days before the end of the war.

The U.S. Coast Guard automated the lighthouse in 1977 and installed a beacon. The Point Arena Lighthouse Keepers Association, CA, originally leased the property from the Coast Guard but since have been awarded ownership. The association opened the lighthouse to the public for year-round visits. I visited the lighthouse in 1999 and, to my knowledge, the keepers association continues to maintain a museum on site and provides teachers/instructors for the tours. The association also rents the aforementioned keepers dwellings to overnight visitors.