Point Retreat

Type:
Year Established:
1904
Existing:
Yes
Source:
LL-1907
Point Retreat
Download:
File Type:
jpeg (image/jpeg)
Photo Date:
2006
Photo Credit:
Mike and Carol McKinney
Photo Courtesy of:
US Lighthouse Society Archives
Collection / Donor:

LOCATION

Location:
ADMIRALTY ISLAND/LYNN CANAL
Latitude:
58° 24'39"
Longitude:
134° 56'33"
City / Town:
JUNEAU
U.S. State:
Alaska
Location County:
JUNEAU
Country:
United States

OWNER & ACCESS

Open to Public:
No
Light List Data:
  1. Point Retreat
Light list data courtesy Gary Riemenschneider

STRUCTURE

Year Tower Established:
1924
Tower Construction Material:
CONCRETE
Tower Foundation:
CONCRETE
Height of light above mean high water, in feet:
63
Height, in feet, from base of structure to center of lantern:
25
Tower Shape:
SQUARE ON FOG SIGNAL BUILDING
Fog Signal Building?:
Yes
Year Fog Signal Building Constructed:
1924
Fog Signal Bldg Construction Materials:
REINFORCED CONCRETE
Keeper's Quarters?:
Yes
Year Keeper's Quarters:
1924
Keeper's Quarters Style:
CAPE COD
Keeper's Quarters Construction:
WOOD
Other Structures:
OIL HOUSE, BOATHOUSE, DOCK, WATER TANK, FUEL STORAGE PLATFORM, HELICOPTER PAD

OPTICS

Active Aid to Navigation?:
Yes
Current Optic:
300 mm, Solar Powered
Original Optic Type:
FOURTH ORDER LENS?
Year Original Lens Installed:
1924
Private Aid:
No
USCG Access to Optics:
Yes
Comments:

HISTORICAL INFORMATION:

  • Point Retreat was construction in 1904 and was first lit on September 15th and displayed a fixed white light.
  • The light was unmanned before 1917.
  • Light was reestablished and upgraded in 1924 with construction of a new light and fog signal building.
  • The lantern was removed in the 1950s and a solar powered 300 mm lens was installed on a post attached to the tower.
  • In 1966 the second Keeper's quarters were demolished to make way for a helipad.
  • In 1973 the light was again unmanned and downgraded to a minor light again.
  • The lighthouse was transferred to the Alaska Lighthouse Association in 1998.  Rehabilitation of the light has been funded in part by Save Americas Treasures grants that are administered by the National Park Service.  In 2002 all the building were repainted.  The group plans to restore the light and open it to the public.
  • In 2003 the light was added to the National Register of Historic Places.

Original tower replaced 1923-1924.

Entered by:
t.wheeler
Entered Date:
Jul 20, 2017