Jump to content

Piedras Blancas Light

Add links
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This is an old revision of this page, as edited by Flyingrunion (talk | contribs) at 03:34, 23 November 2011. The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.

Piedras Blancas Lighthouse
LocationPoint Piedras Blancas, California
Constructed1875
FoundationMasonry
ConstructionBrick
Automated1975
Height74 ft (23 m)
ShapeConical with flat top
Markingswhite
Light
First lit1875 (current tower)
Focal height142 ft (43 m)
LensFirst order bivalve Fresnel lens
Range19 nm
CharacteristicFlashing white every 10 seconds

Piedras Blancas Light Station is a lighthouse on Point Piedras Blancas, about five and half miles (9 km) west by NW of San Simeon, California.[4]

History

The first-order Fresnel lens on the 105-foot 10½-inch Piedras Blancas Lighthouse (pronounced: PEE-dras BLAN-kas) was first illuminated in 1875. On December 31, 1948 and January 1, 1949 three magnitude 3.8 to 4.6 earthquakes centered 6 miles (9.7 km) off the point damaged the lantern room. The lens, lantern room, watch room, and fourth landing were removed, reducing the height of the tower to 74 feet (23 m). The lens is now on display in the nearby community of Cambria.[1] The United States Lighthouse Establishment first staffed the site. The United States Coast Guard staffed the light station until 1975 when the tower was automated and the station unmanned. The Bureau of Land Management acquired the site in 2001.

Current status

The light is an active aid to navigation; however, the sound signal has been silenced. The site is currently maintained by the United States Department of the Interior Bureau of Land Management. Guided tours of the 19-acre (77,000 m2) restricted site are available every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday (except Federal holidays) for a fee ($10.00 for adults; $5 for ages 6-17; free for ages 5 and under). Visitors experience early coastal history, early state history, maritime history, marine mammals, native coastal plants, native coastal animals, and native coastal insects in the BLM designated Outstanding Natural Area.[5]

Pinniped colony

The largest elephant seal rookery on the West Coast is located just south of the lighthouse. The fenced-in viewing vista is located just off of California Highway 1 and is open year-round.

Marine Protected Areas

Piedras Blancas State Marine Reserve and Marine Conservation Area are marine protected areas offshore from Piedras Blancas Light. Like underwater parks, these marine protected areas help conserve ocean wildlife and marine ecosystems.

  • Lighthouse before removal of lantern house and watchroom.
    Lighthouse before removal of lantern house and watchroom.
  • Light station, showing tower without lantern room.
    Light station, showing tower without lantern room.
  • Coastal scene with Piedras Blancas Light Station in the background.
    Coastal scene with Piedras Blancas Light Station in the background.
  • Light tower entrance
    Light tower entrance
  • Lighthouse interior with spiral staircase and landings.
    Lighthouse interior with spiral staircase and landings.
  • Approach road to the light station.
    Approach road to the light station.

References

  1. ^ Light List, Volume VI, Pacific Coast and Pacific Islands (PDF). Light List. United States Coast Guard. 2009. p. 3.
  2. ^ "Historic Light Station Information and Photography: California". United States Coast Guard Historian's Office. Archived from the original on 2017-05-01.
  3. ^ "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. March 13, 2009.
  4. ^ NOAA chart #18700: Point Conception to Point Sur, 1/216116, 2003
  5. ^ The Consolidated Natural Resources Act of 2008 (Pub. L.Tooltip Public Law (United States) 110–229 (text) (PDF), 122 Stat. 754-876, enacted May 8, 2008)
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Piedras_Blancas_Light&oldid=462048599"