Pescadero in San Mateo County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

Pigeon Point Lighthouse

Photographed by Mathew H. Kohnen

1. Pigeon Point Lighthouse Marker

Inscription. This brick lighthouse was built to incorporate a French first order Fresnel lens. Although no longer used, the lens is still operable in the lantern room. Previously the lens had been installed at Cape Hatteras, North Carolina. It first flashed over the Pacific in November 1872, and the lighthouse has served continuously without structural modifications since that time.

Erected 1980 by State Department of Parks and Recreation, United States Coast Guard,. (Marker Number 930.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Communications • Landmarks • Waterways & Vessels. In addition, it is included in the ASCE Civil Engineering Landmarks, the California Historical Landmarks, and the Lighthouses series lists. A significant historical month for this entry is November 1872.

Location. 37° 10.914′ N, 122° 23.58′ W. Marker is in Pescadero, California, in San Mateo County. It can be reached from Pigeon Point Road near California Highway 1. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 910 Pigeon Point Rd, Pescadero CA 94060, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in California’s San Francisco Bay Area

and on the 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 5 miles of this marker, measured as the crow

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flies: Savage Seas (within shouting distance of this marker); Light Up the Future (within shouting distance of this marker); A Bright Beacon (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); a different marker also named Light Up the Future (about 400 feet away); Pigeon Point Light Station State Historic Park (about 400 feet away); Methodist Episcopal Church of Pescadero (approx. 4.7 miles away); a different marker also named Methodist Episcopal Church of Pescadero (approx. 4.8 miles away); Duarte's Tavern (approx. 4.9 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Pescadero.

More about this marker. Marker located on left side of entrance to light tower.

Regarding Pigeon Point Lighthouse. On December 22, 2001, The lighthouse tower was struck by lightning during a severe winter storm. The lightning strike caused structural damage to the tower forcing the suspension of tours of the tower until repairs can be made. A chain link fence surrounds the structure preventing entry of the tower by the general public. Tours of the grounds and the visitors center are still open to the public on most weekends. State Parks Dept. is currently raising funds for the

Pigeon Point Lighthouse State Historic Park image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mathew H. Kohnen, September 5, 2007

2. Pigeon Point Lighthouse State Historic Park

repair of the lighthouse.

Additional commentary.
1. Lighthouse Damaged in 2001, Tower Closed to all visitors
On New Year's Eve, A severe winter storm passing thru the area damaged the Lighthouse tower at pigeon Point when Lightning struck the base of the watchroom external walkway, dislodging some of the brickwork and the walkway supports. Following a Coast Guard survey of the structure, the tower was closed to admission of the general public visitation. In November 2011, The First Order Fresnel Lens was removed from the tower and is now on display in the fog signal building. Note To Editor only visible by Contributor and editor

— Submitted November 11, 2014, by Mathew H. Kohnen of San Jose, California.

Additional keywords. Lighthouses

Entrance to Pigeon Point Light Station State Historic Park image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Duane Hall, March 20, 2009

3. Entrance to Pigeon Point Light Station State Historic Park

Pigeon Point Lighthouse image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Duane Hall, March 20, 2009

4. Pigeon Point Lighthouse

California Historic Civil Engineering Landmark image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Joseph Alvarado, August 15, 2021

5. California Historic Civil Engineering Landmark

Pigeon Point Lighthouse 1871 San Francisco Section ASCE 1976

Credits. This page was last revised on January 9, 2025. It was originally submitted on September 16, 2007, by Mathew H. Kohnen of San Jose, California. This page has been viewed 1,882 times since then and 9 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on September 16, 2007, by Mathew H. Kohnen of San Jose, California. 3, 4. submitted on January 15, 2014, by Duane Hall of Abilene, Texas. 5. submitted on March 30, 2022, by Joseph Alvarado of Livermore, California. • J. J. Prats was the editor who published this page.