Punta Gorda Light

Punta Gorda Lighthouse is a lighthouse in the United States, 12 miles (19 km) south of Cape Mendocino, California, within Humboldt County. Access is via a short hike from the end of a 4WD road. It is managed by the Bureau of Land Management.

Punta Gorda Light
U.S. Coast Guard Archive
California
Location12 miles (19 km) south of
Cape Mendocino
California
United States
Coordinates40.249433°N 124.350220°W / 40.249433; -124.350220
Year first constructed1912
Deactivated1951
Foundationconcrete base
Constructionreinforced concrete tower
Tower shapecylindrical short tower with balcony and lantern on oil building
Markings / patternwhite building,
black lantern
Tower height27 ft (8.2 m)
Original lensFourth order Fresnel lens bulls eye 1912 (removed)
Current lens(removed)
ARLHS numberUSA-679
Managing agentKing Range National Conservation Area[1][2]
Heritageplace listed on the National Register of Historic Places 
Designated1976[3]
Reference no.76000483[3]

History

Punta Gorda Lighthouse was built in 1911 and was first lit in 1912. After World War II, it was decided that given the remoteness of the station it was too costly to maintain. A lighted buoy was placed offshore, the fourth order Fresnel lens was removed, and the station was boarded up and deactivated in 1951. The keeper's house and all other station buildings were eventually demolished except the reinforced concrete light station building and the metal framework for the lantern room atop it and the reinforced concrete oil house were left standing.

Historical Information from USCG web site:

Punta Gorda originally consisted of 22 acres (89,000 m2) upon which were situated three dwellings, a small two-story concrete lighthouse, concrete oil house, a wooden fog signal building, blacksmith/carpenter-shop, three storage sheds, and a barn. In 1951 all aids-to-navigation were discontinued, the buildings boarded up and personnel transferred. The property was transferred to the Bureau of Land Management. In the late 1960s "hippies" moved into the quarters and improved them. Local authorities evicted these people and the Bureau of Land Management burned all the buildings except the Lighthouse and oil house. Punta Gorda was and is a very difficult station to reach. Most of the years it was in operation access was via horse, and during good weather horse-drawn wagon. After the United States Coast Guard assumed command a rough road was constructed (that usually washed out) and a jeep was used for transportation. One Coast Guard career horse, named Old Bill, served the Punta Gorda Light Station as a saddle horse, pack horse, and buggy horse for thirty years until the station closed in 1951.[4]

The lighthouse was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1976.[3] The Fresnel lens and the flag staff pole were removed many years ago to the Humboldt Bay Maritime Museum located near Eureka, California.[4]

The Punta Gorda Light was known as the "Alcatraz of Lighthouses" because of its remote location and difficult access.[4]

Keepers
Head
  • Frederick A. Harrington (1911 – at least 1918)
  • James Dunn (at least 1919 – at least 1921)
  • Herbert H. Luff (at least 1926 – 1928)
  • Charles W. Lindley (1928 – 1939)
  • Perry S. Hunter (1939 – 1940)
  • Harmon A. Day (1940 – at least 1942)
  • Samuel “Hank” – Mostovoy (at least 1949 – 1951)[5]
  • Benjamin McPherson Ficklin (1990 - Present)

See also

References
  1. Punta Gorda The Lighthouse Directory. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Retrieved 15 June 2016
  2. California Historic Light Station Information & Photography United States Coast Guard. Retrieved 15 June 2016
  3. "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. July 9, 2010.
  4. Bureau of Land Management-Punta Gorda Lighthouse webpage. Archived 2011-04-14 at the Wayback Machine accessed Feb.18, 2009
  5. Punta Gorda, CA Lighthouse Friends. Retrieved 15 June 2016


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