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Inventory of Historic Light Stations
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POINT MONTARA LIGHT

State: CALIFORNIA
Location: SOUTHERN APPROACH TO SAN FRANCISCO BAY
Nearest City: MONTARA
County: SAN MATEO
U.S.C.G. District: 11
Year Station Established: 1875

Point Montara Light
NPS photo by Candace Clifford, 1992
Existing Historic Tower:
  • Year Light First Lit: 1928
  • Is the Light Operational? YES
  • Date Deactivated: N/A
  • Automated: 1970
  • Foundation Materials: CONCRETE
  • Construction Materials: STEEL
  • Markings/Patterns: WHITE
  • Shape: CONICAL
  • Relationship to Other Structures: SEPARATE
  • Tower Height: 30
  • Original Optic: FOURTH ORDER, FRESNEL
  • Year Original Lens Installed: 1912
  • Present Optic: FA 251
  • Year Present Lens Installed: 1970
  • Height of Focal Plane: 70
  • Fresnel Lens Disposition: LENS TRANSFERRED TO SAN MATEO HISTORICAL SOCIETY WHEN STATION WAS AUTOMATED IN 1970; NOW ON DISPLAY AT LIBRARY AT COLLEGE OF NOTRE DAME, SAN MATEO, CA
  • Has tower been moved? NO
Previous Tower(s):
  • 1. Construction Date:
  • Description:
  • Fate/Disposition:
Modern Tower? NO

Existing Sound Signal Building? YES
  • Year Constructed: 1902
  • Construction Materials: WOOD FRAME
  • Architectural Style: RECTANGULAR
  • Fog Signal Type: INACTIVE
Existing Keepers Quarters? YES
  • Year Constructed: 1875
  • Number of Stories: 2
  • Architectural Style: VICTORIAN GOTHIC DUPLEX
  • Construction Materials: WOOD FRAME
Other Structures: STORAGE BUILDING, TANK HOUSE, 1960S DWELLING

Current Use: ACTIVE AID TO NAVIGATION/YOUTH HOSTEL

Owner/Manager: U.S. COAST GUARD LEASE TO CALIFORNIA DEPT OF PARKS & RECREATION

Open to the Public? YES (Go to Lighthouses to Visit for access information)

Web Site:

National Register Status: LISTED; Reference #91001094
Name of Listing: POINT MONTARA LIGHT STATION (LIGHT STATIONS OF CALIFORNIA MPS)
On State List/Inventory? NO; Year Listed:

Miscellaneous:
STATION BEGAN AS A FOG SIGNAL WITH A MINOR LIGHT UNTIL 1912 WHEN A FOURTH ORDER LENS WAS INSTALLED



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Last Modified: Tues, Feb 19 2002 4:15:02 pm EDT
JMP


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