The rocky shores of the Northern California coastline necessitated the use of lighthouses from the mid 1800’s onward. When modern technology made many of these historic lighthouses obsolete, they were turned into museums, places of interest, memorials to those lost at sea, et cetera. Some lighthouses, like the St. George Reef Lighthouse off the coast of Crescent City, were abandoned.
This remote lighthouse is way out at sea, making it incredibly hard to get to. It’s rare to see it in person, so enjoy these photos of its eerie beauty.
The St. George Reef Lighthouse is just barely visible from the shore of Crescent City in Del Norte County. It was built on North West Seal Rock, six miles off the coast.
Flickr/ docentjoyce
The lighthouse was completed in 1891 and is what is referred to as a wave washed lighthouse, where the ocean hits it from all sides.
Wikipedia/ USCG
It took almost a decade to built and cost of over $700,000, which would be equivalent to $20 million today. It’s the most expensive lighthouse the U.S. ever built.
Flickr/ Anita Ritenour
Construction was very tough and involved blasting away parts of the island from a barge. Each stone had to fit within tight tolerances to provide a seamless wall against the ocean.
Flickr/ Anita Ritenour
Operations at this lighthouse were also extremely challenging. Several people died during construction and on assignment here. It was operated by the Coast Guard, and it was common for people to seek reassignment from here.
Flickr/ Anita Ritenour
Waves would frequently crash over the cassion (the wider base) of the lighthouse, and it was even reported that they once broke the windows of the lantern room 150 feet above the sea. The sea water rushed down the staircase.
Flickr/ KaCey97078
However fraught with danger the lighthouse operations were, they were important for ships to navigate these treacherous waters. Here you can see the Battery Point lighthouse in the foreground and St. George Reef in the distance.
Flickr/ Anita Ritenour
The lighthouse was decommissioned in 1975 and replaced by a “floating lighthouse” buoy. It’s been listed in the National Register of Historic Places since 1993.
Flickr/ J. Stephen Conn
The lighthouse is now owned by the St. George Reef Lighthouse Preservation Society, which offers tours via helicopter. The organization also conducts preservation efforts.
Flickr/ Anita Ritenour
This video gives you an idea of the remote and lonely scope of this lighthouse. It’s also a beautiful shot of the lighthouse in the golden light of sunset.
Flickr/ docentjoyce
Wikipedia/ USCG
Flickr/ Anita Ritenour
Flickr/ KaCey97078
Flickr/ J. Stephen Conn
This lighthouse was also featured on an episode of California Gold, which you can watch here.
What do you think about the St. George Lighthouse? Is it a place you think you will ever visit by helicopter? Share you thoughts with us!
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