Fort Point Light (CA)

“San Francisco, California”

Built: 1864
Decommissioned: 1934

“This 27 foot high iron tower stands atop the fort at its northwest bastion at the southern base of the Golden Gate Bridge. It is the third tower at the point, the first two being built in 1854 and 1855 respectively. The first lighthouse was identical to the original light on Alcatraz island (a 28 by 30 foot Cape Cod style structure) but was torn down without ever being lit to make room for the building of the fort. The second light (a 36 foot wooden tower) was positioned between the fort and its seawall, but had to be torn down when the seawall had to be rebuilt. This third lighthouse was discontinued during construction of the Golden Gate Bridge because the rising towers of the bridge obscured its light. It is currently owned by the National Parks Service.”

Navigational Options

Return to Thirty-seventh Lighthouse Expedition

Go to Alphabetical Listing

Go to Geographical Listing

Return to Lighthouse Home Page

Lighthouses: A Photographic Journey
Conceived and Developed by David S. Carter
Photographs by Donald W. Carter
Text by Diana K. Carter, Donald W. Carter & David S. Carter

Copyright © 1995-2006 David S. Carter, Donald W. Carter, & Diana K. Carter. All rights reserved. Reproduction by any means, physical or electronic, in part or in full, without the express permission of the authors, is strictly prohibited.