Michael Brooking Photography
Pigeon Point Lighthouse
Pigeon Point Lighthouse is one of the most picturesque lighthouses on the Pacific coast. The tower stands on a rocky promontory and has long been a landmark for ships approaching San Francisco Bay from the south. This headland, and hence the lighthouse, took its name from the ship Carrier Pigeon that wrecked here in 1853.
The lantern room of the tower is equipped with the original first-order Fresnel lens. Illuminated for demonstration purposes only today, the lens has 24 flash panels, is composed of 1008 hand-polished lenses and prisms and is capable of producing over 500,000 candlepower illumination. It was manufactured by the Henry-LePaute company in Paris, France and was first lit at Pigeon Point at sunset on November 15, 1872.
Originally the tower was equipped with a lamp that burned refined lard oil. In 1888, that lamp was replaced with a mineral oil (kerosene) lamp. To produce Pigeon Point's assigned characteristic of one white flash of light every ten seconds, the four ton lens rotated one time every four minutes. When observed from a distance, this resulted in the appearance of one white flash of light every ten seconds. The lens rotation was originally powered by a clockworks and weight. In 1926 the lighthouse was provided with electricity. Modern innovations were incorporated and the kerosene IOV lamp was replaced by a 1000 watt bulb, the clockworks by an electric motor and an electrically operated fog signal was eventually installed.
Pigeon Point Lighthouse with light on
U.S. Coast Guard Archive
In 1972, the United States Coast Guard mounted a 24-inch aerobeacon on the front of the tower and officially retired the Fresnel lens from regular duty. The Fresnel lens is now lit only to celebrate special occasions, such as the annual lighting of the lens, which usually occurs in mid-November (closest Saturday to Nov. 15) the date of the original first lighting in 1872. The light (outside aerobeacon) is still an active aid to navigation.
The tower has been closed to tours since December 2001 because of collapse of brickwork supporting outside access walkways on the top of the structure. The California State Park system has promised repairs, but it is estimated that even if funds were available, it would be seven to ten years before the repairs would be completed.
The restored lighthouse keepers housing also serves as a hostel for travelers. The hostel is operated by the Golden Gate Council of Hostelling International. The four three-bedroom houses next to the lighthouse have overnight lodging for up to 50 people of all ages. Each house has three male or female bunk rooms. Separate bunk rooms can be reserved for families or couples. Hostel guests share bathrooms, kitchens and living rooms. An outdoor hot tub can be rented in the evenings.
Pigeon Point Lighthouse
Pigeon Point Lighthouse is one of the most picturesque lighthouses on the Pacific coast. The tower stands on a rocky promontory and has long been a landmark for ships approaching San Francisco Bay from the south. This headland, and hence the lighthouse, took its name from the ship Carrier Pigeon that wrecked here in 1853.
The lantern room of the tower is equipped with the original first-order Fresnel lens. Illuminated for demonstration purposes only today, the lens has 24 flash panels, is composed of 1008 hand-polished lenses and prisms and is capable of producing over 500,000 candlepower illumination. It was manufactured by the Henry-LePaute company in Paris, France and was first lit at Pigeon Point at sunset on November 15, 1872.
Originally the tower was equipped with a lamp that burned refined lard oil. In 1888, that lamp was replaced with a mineral oil (kerosene) lamp. To produce Pigeon Point's assigned characteristic of one white flash of light every ten seconds, the four ton lens rotated one time every four minutes. When observed from a distance, this resulted in the appearance of one white flash of light every ten seconds. The lens rotation was originally powered by a clockworks and weight. In 1926 the lighthouse was provided with electricity. Modern innovations were incorporated and the kerosene IOV lamp was replaced by a 1000 watt bulb, the clockworks by an electric motor and an electrically operated fog signal was eventually installed.
Pigeon Point Lighthouse with light on
U.S. Coast Guard Archive
In 1972, the United States Coast Guard mounted a 24-inch aerobeacon on the front of the tower and officially retired the Fresnel lens from regular duty. The Fresnel lens is now lit only to celebrate special occasions, such as the annual lighting of the lens, which usually occurs in mid-November (closest Saturday to Nov. 15) the date of the original first lighting in 1872. The light (outside aerobeacon) is still an active aid to navigation.
The tower has been closed to tours since December 2001 because of collapse of brickwork supporting outside access walkways on the top of the structure. The California State Park system has promised repairs, but it is estimated that even if funds were available, it would be seven to ten years before the repairs would be completed.
The restored lighthouse keepers housing also serves as a hostel for travelers. The hostel is operated by the Golden Gate Council of Hostelling International. The four three-bedroom houses next to the lighthouse have overnight lodging for up to 50 people of all ages. Each house has three male or female bunk rooms. Separate bunk rooms can be reserved for families or couples. Hostel guests share bathrooms, kitchens and living rooms. An outdoor hot tub can be rented in the evenings.