Point Piños Light

“Pacific Grove, California”

Built: 1855
Automated: 1975

“This light was the second light to be lit on the west coast (Alcatraz was the first). However, it is the oldest, continuously operating lighthouse on the west coast and still operates with its original third-order Fresnel lens. The 43 foot tower extends from the center of the keepers house. The beam is 89 feet above sea level and can be seen up to 15 miles out to sea. It is located at the dangerous southern entrance to Monterey Bay. The most famous lightkeeper here was Mrs. Emily Fish, who served from 1893 to 1914 when she retired at age 71. She was called the ‘Socialite Keeper’ due to her love of entertaining guests at the lighthouse. This lighthouse is currently owned by the Pacific Grove Natural History Museum.”

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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.