Pigeon Point Lighthouse To Be Repaired
By Sue Clark on Jan 16, 2008 in News 
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Fundraising Underway
A little over six years ago, two huge chunks of Pigeon Point (near Pescadero, CA) Lighthouse’s bricks and ironwork fell to the ground. Fearing for visitors’ safety, the California State Parks closed the tower to everyone, although the grounds remain open. Since that time, tourists wanting to view this breathtaking 115 foot tall lighthouse have been disappointed. But no longer. A major fundraising campaign is about to begin, with a goal of $6 million to be raised - $5 million for repair work and $1 million as an endowment for maintenance.
Bill Lane, publisher emeritus of Sunset Magazine, and a major donor, led off the fundraising effort with a special climb to the top of the tower. Reminiscing about the earlier years of the lighthouse, he said it deserves restoration, even though it only plays a minor role in navigation nowadays. Another major donor, Don Cooley, a rancher from nearby Watsonville, also was part of the entourage. The California State Parks Foundation, official leader of the fundraising campaign, iexpects to start the planning phase in March.
Years of Neglect
The two ton chunks that plummetted to the ground in December 2001 were symptomatic of the damage to this lighthouse after years of neglect. Although surviving years of salt air, high winds and driving rain, along with earthquakes, the neglect since automation in 1974 has taken its toll. The original First Order Fresnel lens, while still in place, has been replaced with a smaller light (DCB-24) atop the balcony rail. According to the story, the following work is needed.
- The iron belts surrounding the building, and providing crucial structural support from seismic activity, need to be replaced due to decay or loss.
- The original wrought iron spiral staircase has deteriorated and needs to be sturctural upgrades, as years of tourist traffic have contributed to the problem.
- The cast iron deck around the lantern room is rusted and needs to be replaced.
- Iron and bronze in the interior have rusted or deteriorated and need replacement.
- Doors and windows are misaligned and corroded from the weather and need replacement.
- The roof is decayed and leaking, further contributing to interior rusting.
- The bricks and mortar have deteriorated and must be replaced or repaired.
Annual Relighting
Pigeon Point, named for the wreck of the Boston-based clipper ship Carrier Pigeon in 1852, showed the need for a lighthouse at the entrance to San Francisco Bay. Once a year, on November 15 at sunset, the Coast Guard darkens the DCB-24 and instead beams the First Order Fresnel lens in celebration of its first lighting in 1872. The annual event is attended by hundreds of people and is a photographer’s paradise, as evidenced by the photo above. The light is held steady for everyone to get these lovely shots in the ubiquitous fog, and then begins its rotation to applause.
Barbara Hill, Foundation Vice President, is confident the campaign to restore and re-open the lighthouse will prove successful. “There’s a tremendous amount of enthusiasm for it,” she said. “It’s such an icon, and it’s in a community that’s already demonstrated its commitment to preserving the coast.”
Photo Credit: Pigeon Point Relighting 11-07 by MumbleyJoe on Flickr (Creative Commons)
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