Alcatraz Island in San Francisco City and County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

Alcatraz Lighthouse

Oldest beacon on the West Coast

— Golden Gate National Recreation Area —

Alcatraz Lighthouse Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, February 1, 2022

1. Alcatraz Lighthouse Marker

Inscription. Alcatraz's original lighthouse (below) was lit in 1854, when California's gold fields were drawing fortune-seekers from around the world. It was the first operating lighthouse on the West Coast. Today's lighthouse, which replaced the original one in 1909, has been guiding vessels through the Golden Gate and around the Rock since then.

A lighthouse keeper and two assistants lived on the island and tended the light until the U.S. Coast Guard automated it in 1963.

Erected by National Park Service.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Waterways & Vessels. In addition, it is included in the Lighthouses series list.

Location. 37° 49.577′ N, 122° 25.345′ W. Marker is in San Francisco, California, in San Francisco City and County. It is on Alcatraz Island. It can be reached from no nearby street. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: San Francisco CA 94133, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is on California’s Coast Ranges.

It is also on the American Pacific Coast.

Globally, it is in North America,

on the Ring of Fire,

in the Pacific Rim,

in the Western Hemisphere,

in the Western World,

and in the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain

and also Mexico’s Alta California.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Indian Occupation 1969-1971 (a few steps from this marker); Persian Carpet (a few steps from this marker); Warden's House (within shouting distance of this marker); Western Gulls (within shouting distance of this marker); Lower Military Prison (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); First Escape Attempt (about 400 feet away); The Morgue (about 500 feet away); Not Just a Water Tower (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in San Francisco.

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sectionhead>More about this marker. The marker is located on Alcatraz Island, by the lighthouse.

Also see . . . Alcatraz Island Lighthouse (Wikipedia).

"Alcatraz Island Lighthouse is a lighthouse—the first one built on the U.S. West Coast—located on Alcatraz Island in California's San Francisco Bay. It is located at the southern end of the island near the entrance to the prison. The first light house on the island was completed in 1854, and served the bay during its time as a Citadel and military prison. It was replaced by a taller (95 feet (29 m) above mean sea level) concrete tower built in 1909 to the south of the original one which was demolished after it was damaged due to earthquake in 1906. The automation of the lighthouse with a modern beacon took place in 1963, the year Alcatraz closed as the Alcatraz Federal Penitentiary. It is the oldest light station on the island with a modern beacon and is part of the museum on the island...."

(Submitted on March 30, 2022, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California.)

Alcatraz Lighthouse and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, February 1, 2022

2. Alcatraz Lighthouse and Marker

The marker is visible in the lower right corner.

Alcatraz Lighthouse image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, February 1, 2022

3. Alcatraz Lighthouse

<i>View of the Administration Building and lighthouse on Alcatraz Island</i> image. Click for full size.

E.F. Mueller (courtesy of the California State Library), circa 1918

4. View of the Administration Building and lighthouse on Alcatraz Island

Credits. This page was last revised on February 7, 2023. It was originally submitted on March 30, 2022, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. This page has been viewed 785 times since then and 58 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on March 30, 2022, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California.