Old Point Loma Lighthouse
by Susan McMenamin
Title
Old Point Loma Lighthouse
Artist
Susan McMenamin
Medium
Photograph
Description
The Old Point Loma Lighthouse stood watch over the entrance to San Diego Bay for 36 years. At dusk on November 15, 1855, the light keeper climbed the winding stairs and lit the light for the first time. What seemed to be a good location 422 feet above sea level, however, had a serious flaw. Fog and low clouds often obscured the light. On March 23, 1891, the light was extinguished and the keeper moved to a new lighthouse location closer to the water at the tip of the Point. In clear weather its light was visible at sea for 25 miles. The light had only a short life because the seemingly good location concealed a serious flaw: fog and low clouds often obscured the beam. On March 23, 1891, the keeper extinguished the lamp for the last time. Boarding up the lighthouse, he moved his family and belongings into a new light station at the bottom of the hill. Cabrillo National Monument Park lies at the tip of the Point Loma Peninsula, just west of the city of San Diego, California.
Uploaded
April 21st, 2015
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