Long before the Golden Gate Bridge spanned the entrance to San Francisco Bay, the Fort Point Lighthouse stood watch to the growth of the city and Pacific coast maritime traffic. It was however the first lighthouse to be torn down on the west coast, 3 months after its completion. While awaiting the delivery of its Fresnel lens from France, the Army decided the lighthouse reservation was needed by the military to fortify the entrance to the Bay. When the lens for the Fort Point Light arrived in 1854 it was sent to be placed in the Point Piños Light at Monterey Bay.