North Waterfront in San Francisco City and County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)
Warden’s House and Lighthouse
Photographed by Joseph Alvarado
1. Warden’s House and Lighthouse Marker
The lighthouse was originally built in 1854 to guide gold rush shipping into San Francisco Bay. The present concrete tower was erected in 1909. Lighthouse keepers and their families once lived in homes at the tower’s base.
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[#10-Warden’s House & Lighthouse]
(Marker Number 10.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Parks & Recreational Areas. In addition, it is included in the Lighthouses series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1854.
Location. 37° 48.389′ N, 122° 24.262′ W. Marker is in San Francisco, California, in San Francisco City and County. It is in North Waterfront. It can be reached
this page online
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: Staff Housing Area (here, next to this marker); Main Prison Building (here, next to this marker); Barracks/Apartments (here, next to this marker); Guardhouse & Sallyport Complex (here, next to this marker); The Post Exchange & Officers' Club (here, next to this marker); The Dock (here, next to this marker); a different marker also named The Dock (here, next to this marker); Military Schoolhouse (here, next to this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in San Francisco.
More about this marker. There is a small braille plaque on the lower left corner of the marker.
Inset Images:
The second Alcatraz lighthouse and warden’s house, 1954.
Warden Edwin Swope and wife Edna at home for Christmas, circa 1950.
The warden’s house was the largest residence on the island. Circa 1930.
The original Alcatraz lighthouse. Note the cannonballs. 1890.
Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. Warden's House and Lighthouse Keepers
Also see . . .
1. Lighthouse History
Photographed by Craig Baker, October 22, 2024
2. Warden’s House and Lighthouse Marker
"The Alcatraz Lighthouse has been, and continues to be, an active aid to navigation. It is a steadfast beacon overseeing and directing San Francisco Bay Area maritime traffic since the Gold Rush. Alcatraz Island is the site of the first lighthouse on the West Coast (1854)."(Submitted on July 18, 2023, by Joseph Alvarado of Livermore, California.)
2. Alcatraz Lighthouse. National Park Service
"The cottage-style lighthouse building was replaced by the taller 95 foot structure in 1909 because it was no longer tall enough to shine over the new cellhouse."(Submitted on July 18, 2023, by Joseph Alvarado of Livermore, California.)
Photographed by Joseph Alvarado, June 15, 2023
3. Alcatraz Model
Photographed by Joseph Alvarado
4. Warden’s House and Lighthouse - 1954
Credits. This page was last revised on May 18, 2025. It was originally submitted on July 18, 2023, by Joseph Alvarado of Livermore, California. This page has been viewed 631 times since then and 74 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on July 18, 2023, by Joseph Alvarado of Livermore, California. 2. submitted on May 18, 2025, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. 3. submitted on July 18, 2023, by Joseph Alvarado of Livermore, California. 4. submitted on May 18, 2025.
