New Point Loma Light, California - # - Lighthouse Guy Photo's & Gifts

Lighthouse Guy Photo's & Gifts

The New Point Loma Lighthouse was erected at the entrance to San Diego Bay in August 1890 as a replacement for the Old Point Loma Light which had been functioning since 1855. Despite its lofty 400 foot elevation, the Old Light was constantly obscured by low lying fog requiring a new lighthouse to be built. The new 70 foot tall skeletal structure was placed on a concrete pad 25 feet square and 14 feet deep.

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The iron tower was manufactured in Trenton, New Jersey and sent to San Diego by railroad. A Fresnel lens had been ordered for the tower, however the manufacturer requested that he be allowed to enter the lens in exhibitions. So the Lighthouse Service obtained a replacement, but it was too big to fit into the lantern.

In February 1891 another lens arrived for installation. This one was originally the lens from the Anclote Key Lighthouse in Florida. The 3rd Order lens was first lit by Keeper Robert Israel on March 23, 1891. It exhibited a flashing red & white light. Israel had previously served as Keeper at the Old Light.

Two clapboard Mission Style houses had been constructed for the Keeper and his Assistant. The town of San Diego was seven miles away over a rutted dirt road. This station encountered trouble with the fresh water supply. In dry years the Keeper needed to fill barrels of water from a well miles away.

In 1913 a fog signal building was erected. The signal was powered by compressed air. A new dwelling was built for the Head Keeper and a Second Assistant was added to the light station.

In 1933 the lighthouse was electrified and used a 500 watt lightbulb to produce its signal. The characteristic was changed from a red & white light, to a flashing white light. During World War II the light was extinguished in accordance with a black-out order.

The lighthouse was automated in 1973. In 1997 the lens stopped rotating due to rust & warping. Since repairs would have been costly, a replacement light was installed on the balcony. The Fresnel lens was covered with a blue canvas bag, seen in these pictures. In 2002 the lens was removed from the tower, restored and placed on display near the Old Point Loma tower in 2004. The station today provides housing for Coast Guard officers.

Old postcard view of the New Point Loma Light Station

The iron tower was manufactured in Trenton, New Jersey and sent to San Diego by railroad. A Fresnel lens had been ordered for the tower, however the manufacturer requested that he be allowed to enter the lens in exhibitions. So the Lighthouse Service obtained a replacement, but it was too big to fit into the lantern.