Arecibo Light

Arecibo Light (Spanish: Faro de Arecibo) is a historic lighthouse located in the city of Arecibo, Puerto Rico. It is also known as Los Morrillos Lighthouse because of its location on top of a rocky headland known as Punta Morrillos. The lighthouse was constructed and was lit on 1898. This was the last lighthouse built by the Spanish government on the island.

Arecibo Lighthouse
A closeup view of Arecibo Lighthouse
Arecibo Lighthouse
Puerto Rico
LocationArecibo
Puerto Rico
Coordinates18°28′55.076″N 66°41′55.335″W
Year first lit1898
Automated1964
Foundationstone base
Constructionstone tower
Tower shapehexagonal tower with balcony and lantern attached to a building
Markings / patternwhite tower, black lantern
Tower height46 feet (14 m)
Focal height120 feet (37 m)
Original lensThird order Fresnel lens (1898)
Range14 nautical miles (26 km; 16 mi)
CharacteristicFl W 5s.
ARLHS numberPUR-001
Heritageplace listed on the National Register of Historic Places 
Faro de Arecibo
Architectural styleNeoclassic
MPSLighthouse System of Puerto Rico TR
NRHP reference No.77001546[1]

The style of construction is neoclassical with a rectangular shape of 40 feet 4 inches (12.29 m) wide by 84 feet 2 inches (25.65 m) long, and has attached a hexagonal tower covered by a bronze dome with a working lantern. The original lens was a third order Fresnel, with an 18-mile (29 km) radius. The lighthouse was converted to electric power in 1931. Currently, it has a 190 mm lens with a white flash every five seconds.

After the light was automated in 1964, the unmanned structure fell victim to decay and vandalism. The Fresnel lens was damaged in 1975 and destroyed in 1977.

A private company completed the restoration of the lighthouse in 2001. It has been operated as a Foundation until present. The lighthouse is called the Arecibo Lighthouse and Historical Park that includes a replica of a Taino Indian Village, a replica of the Niña, Pinta and Santa Maria, a Slavery Quarters, a replica of a Pirate Ship, a Pirate Cave, a Mini Zoo, various Salt Water Aquariums, a Playground, and a Water Park. The lighthouse is home to a small museum showcasing marine artifacts, the history of the lighthouse, and the Spanish–American War.

This lighthouse should not be confused with the Cabo Rojo lighthouse, known as Faro de Los Morrillos de Cabo Rojo.

  • View of Arecibo Light from Playa La Poza del Obispo

See also

References
  1. "Inventory of Historic Light Stations National Park Service". Archived from the original on 23 March 2009. Retrieved 2009-03-27.
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