Pigeon Point Lighthouse Restoration

Maxwell Crumley
The Elegant Image Studio

A Historical Legacy
Located 50 miles south of San Francisco, Pigeon Point Light Station State Historic Park is home to one of the most beautiful lighthouse structures on the Pacific Coast. It was built in 1872 as a beacon for mariners coming to San Francisco and is one of the oldest remaining lighthouses on the West Coast. Its architecture is so stunning that many famous lighthouses, such as Saint Augustine in Florida, were modeled after the 115-foot structure. Today the Pigeon Point Light Station and the surrounding area serve as a spectacular landmark for the millions of people traveling along California’s Highway 1 each year.

Need for the Project
Together with its community partners, California State Parks, under a lease from the U.S. Coast Guard, has cared for the facility and provided an extensive interpretation program for millions of visitors for 20 years. However, because State Parks did not officially own the Light Station, they were limited to regular maintenance of the structures only and unable to undertake any significant structural work. In December 2001, sections of the Lighthouse Tower’s upper iron belt course broke off, which has forced suspension of public tours. Further inspection revealed that the tower requires immediate attention in order to correct structural deficiencies and prevent further deterioration.

The Pigeon Point Light Station Restoration Project
In May 2005, California State Parks officially acquired the Pigeon Point Light Station from the U.S. Coast Guard, making the opportunity to repair this historic landmark possible. The desire, motivation, and commitment to restoring the Light Station and resuming high quality visitor experiences are tremendous, but to do so will take considerable resources. In conjunction with the acquisition, the California State Parks Foundation is spearheading a multi-million dollar fundraising campaign, in partnership with State Parks and the San Mateo Natural History Association, to restore and reopen the historic Pigeon Point Lighthouse. The restoration of Pigeon Point Lighthouse will help connect visitors with a valuable piece of California’s history, as well as restore one of the State’s most architecturally significant structures.

How You Can Help
If you are interested in learning more about the project or making a donation towards the restoration of the Pigeon Point Lighthouse, please contact Sara Feldman at (213) 748-7458 or by email at sara@calparks.org.