The Alcatraz lighthouse stands beside the cellhouse at the island's high point. The first light here, lit in 1854, was the first lighthouse built on the U.S. West Coast.
Details
- Type
- Historic Site
- Accessibility
- Limited accessibility
First West Coast light
The original Alcatraz lighthouse began operating in 1854, marking the entrance to San Francisco Bay for vessels arriving during and after the Gold Rush. It was a cottage-style structure with the lantern rising from the roof, and it served for more than fifty years.
The 1909 tower
As the Army built the new concrete cellhouse, the old light was no longer tall enough to shine over it. A replacement tower, 95 feet tall, was completed in 1909 and still stands today. A lighthouse keeper and assistants lived on the island and tended the light.
Automation
The Coast Guard automated the light in 1963, the same year the penitentiary closed, and added a modern beacon. The tower remains an active aid to navigation and one of the most visible features on the island skyline.