First Order Lens Used As Fairgrounds Display

Humboldt County (California) Fairgrounds is apparently home to a First Order Fresnel Lens, manufactured in France, that has been leased to the city of Ferndale since it was removed from Cape Mendocino Lighthouse in 1950. Regular CG inspections have not found anything untoward about this situation, at least not until recently. According to a story in the Times Standard, a Coast Guard housing resident, assigned to maintain records on west coast lighthouses, did a double take when he saw the priceless prism perched above the fairgrounds entrance. He took pictures, and told the fairgrounds manager that he would be contacted in regards to “managing” the rare work of art.

That was in 2006. A year and a half later, Titus said he received a call from a Washington, D.C. Coast Guard curator noting that there were concerns about the lens, including the possibility that the agency might want to take it back. An inspection is scheduled for Monday morning, June 23, to determine if the lens should stay where it’s at or be removed.

From the story:

Coast Guard Curator Arlyn Danielson confirmed Friday that the agency had concerns about how the valuable lens was being housed. She’s already sent a letter to Titus asking that certain steps be taken to safeguard the towering glass lens — including installing motion detection lights and an electronic security system, and upgrading the structure’s electrical wiring.

‘We are evaluating whether or not we want to allow the fairgrounds to keep it there or have it removed,” Danielson said.

The agency has issues with the construction materials used to build the Cape Mendocino Lighthouse replica and the condition of that structure.

“It doesn’t conform to our regulations and requirements for security and safety,” she said.

Entrance to Humboldt County Fairgrounds. Photo from Times-Standard

The lens was installed in a replica of the Lost Coast Lighthouse when the fairgrounds were remodeled. Danielson said that even though everything has been “hunky dory” for the past sixty years, doesn’t mean it’s okay.

It Gets Better (Or Rather Worse)…

Danielson also says that the Coast Guard does not allow lenses to be stored in lighthouse lantern rooms, because they’re exposed to environmental factors, such as the extremes of light and humidity, that can deteriorate lenses. In addition, the lens is not currently being displayed in a maritime situation, which is preferable, she stated.

Okay, maybe the keyword is “stored,” but there are plenty of Fresnel lenses, both active and inactive, “stored” in lighthouses around the world. And as long as the proper care is taken with them, they continue to serve and delight people all over the world. But wait, as if that’s not enough, Danielson reveals in the story that there is a potential buyer for this Fresnel, who has made an offer and has the money to restore this lens.

So Many Things Wrong Here

While I certainly agree the lens should not be stored where it’s susceptible to the weather, and more importantly, vandals, I do not see anything wrong with it being kept by Franklin County, as long as proper precautions are taken to protect it. At least it’s accessible (somewhat) to the public. I’d prefer to see it placed in a museum, where the curators, with proper training, can keep the light in good condition. But what I do not want to see, and I hope you don’t either, is that this jewel is taken away from the public and sold to someone who will add it to a private collection.

There Needs To Be a Public Outcry

Ms. Danielson’s superiors need to be pressured to put a stop to any potential sale of this gem, and to allow it to remain in public view. Depending on the outcome of the inspection, and the willingness of Ferndale to properly protect this irreplaceable lens, we need to get involved to preserve this for the public, and not for one person’s enjoyment. Lighthouse News will be following up on this story.

It was erroneously reported in the original story at the Times Standard that the Coast Guard curator claimed the light would be removed and sold to a private person. In correspondence with Dr.Robert Browning, Chief Historian of the U.S. Coast Guard, it was revealed to Lighthouse News that the original reporter misunderstood what was said and that the lens was never going to be offered for sale to a private party. From Dr. Browning: “Ms. Danielson had mentioned that the lens might be stored somewhere beside the Ferndale area (third party).  We had considered Petaluma, CA where we knew we had facilities for it if necessary.  How this became twisted into selling the lens I do not know.  Unfortunately, this mistake was repeated in other articles as well.  Also, as Ms. Danielson’s supervisor, I can equivocally state that she has never been to see the lens.”

Photo Credit: Second Order lens on display at the Maine Lighthouse Museum by Sue Clark. Some rights reserved.

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