Pigeon Point Lighthouse to shine on anniversary

Still, Pigeon Point retains the Fresnel lens, as well as the original lighthouse, as a testament to the history of the Pescadero landmark and the ships that have been guided to safety in the sea beneath it. 

“Historical structures help to connect us to how these communities developed over time,” Barrow said. “It provides a level of continuity from the past into the future.” 

From 1-7 p.m. Saturday, the community is invited to the lighthouse and state park to participate in crafts and games, hear from Pigeon Point historian and author JoAnn Semones, and, as darkness comes, see the Fresnel lens light up the Fog Signal Building, the park’s museum. 

When the restoration project is completed, the original lens will be lit up in the lighthouse tower on ceremonial occasions, Barrow said, though the typical LED will be turned on daily to continue to guide local fishermen and recreational boats sailing close to the coast. 

Because no light is in operation, the Coast Guard put out an alert to mariners to be aware in the area, and larger cargo ships now operate with multiple navigational technologies that make lighthouses less necessary. Still, the light can help smaller boats with only one navigational system to traverse the ocean. 

“It continues to provide a sense of safety and security for fishermen and recreational sailors,” Barrow said. 

The lighthouse was originally built in the late 19th century as sailors and those looking to try their luck in the California Gold Rush came through Cape Horn and up the coast. The 1853 grounding of clipper ship Carrier Pigeon both spurred the need for a lighthouse in the area and gave the location its name. 

Even with the installation of a lighthouse, wrecks occurred along the foggy coastline, including the 1929 sinking of a passenger steamer, which caused the death of 75 men, women and children. 

“There did continue to be shipwrecks, even after light was lit, because of the fog, because of human error, captains being unfamiliar with the shallow reefs right under the water’s surface,” Barrow said. 

Now, the area is a state park, designed for travelers and residents alike to engage with the history of the lighthouse’s roots and enjoy the spectacular wildlife and whale watching that Pigeon Point offers. 

The park’s restoration, which is funded by the state, is a “top-to-bottom, inside-and-out project,” Barrow said, and includes removing lead and asbestos, repainting the lighthouse, replacing the ironwork with marine-grade stainless steel and repairs to the brickwork and body of the tower itself. 

Pigeon Point’s hostel remains open throughout the process, and allows visitors to stay overnight in the historic structure. One bed in a dormitory room will run travelers $50 a night, and single rooms range from $145 to $285 a night, depending on size.