Five Finger Island

Type:
Year Established:
1902
Existing:
Yes
Source:
LL-1907
Five Finger Island
Download:
File Type:
jpeg (image/jpeg)
Photo Date:
2008
Photo Credit:
Anthony Melosci
Photo Courtesy of:
US Lighthouse Society Archives
Collection / Donor:

LOCATION

Location:
FREDERICK SOUND
Latitude:
57° 16'08"
Longitude:
133° 37'50"
City / Town:
PETERSBURG
U.S. State:
Alaska
Country:
United States

OWNER & ACCESS

Open to Public:
No
Light List Data:
  1. Five Finger Island
Light list data courtesy Gary Riemenschneider

STRUCTURE

Year Discontinued:
1998
Disposition:
Transferred to Private Hands
Year Tower Established:
1935
Tower Construction Material:
CONCRETE
Tower Foundation:
CONCRETE PIER
Height of light above mean high water, in feet:
81
Height, in feet, from base of structure to center of lantern:
68
Tower Shape:
SQUARE
Fog Signal Building?:
No
Keeper's Quarters?:
No
Year Keeper's Quarters:
1935
Keeper's Quarters Style:
ART DECO (INTEGRAL)
Keeper's Quarters Construction:
CONCRETE
Other Structures:
RADIO BEACONS, CISTERNS

OPTICS

Active Aid to Navigation?:
Yes
Current Optic:
VRB-25 VEGA, SOLAR POWERED
Original Optic Type:
FOURTH ORDER, FRESNEL
Year Original Lens Installed:
1902
Private Aid:
No
USCG Access to Optics:
No
Comments:

HISTORICAL INFORMATION:

  • Light Station was established in March of 1902.  Construction began in July of 1901 and was completed for a cost of $22,500.00.  Some consider this the first manned station in Alaska because all construction was completed before Sentinel Island Light.  Contained a fourth order Fresnel lens.
  • In 1931 a third-class radio beacon was added to the station making it the sixth station in Alaska to have such a facility.
  • Original structure burned down in December 1933.  The tower was rebuilt using public works appropriations to build the current structure made of concrete.  Completed and relit in 1935.
  • This was the last lighthouse in Alaska to be automated on August 14, 1984.
  • Lens replaced in 1997 with a solar powered VRB-25 VEGA.
  • Transferred to Juneau Lighthouse Association in 1998.  A renovation project is planned that will eventually open the light to the public.
Entered by:
t.wheeler
Entered Date:
Jul 20, 2017