Type:
Year Established:
1911
Existing:
Yes
Download:
Punta Gorda CA - Joyce Dixon_0.jpeg (243.18 KB)
File Type:
jpeg (image/jpeg)
Photo Credit:
Joyce Dixon
Photo Courtesy of:
US Lighthouse Society Archives
Collection / Donor:
LOCATION
Location:
12 MILES SOUTH OF CAPE MENDOCINO
Latitude:
40°24.94'
Longitude:
124° 35.02'
City / Town:
PETROLIA
U.S. State:
California
Location County:
HUMBOLDT
Country:
United States
OWNER & ACCESS
Open to Public:
Yes
STRUCTURE
Year Discontinued:
1951
Year Tower Established:
1912
Tower Construction Material:
REINFORCED CONCRETE
Tower Foundation:
CONCRETE
Height of light above mean high water, in feet:
75
Height, in feet, from base of structure to center of lantern:
27
Tower Shape:
SQUARE
Fog Signal Building?:
No
Year Fog Signal Building Constructed:
1910
Fog Signal Bldg Construction Materials:
WOOD
Keeper's Quarters?:
No
Year Keeper's Quarters:
1910
Keeper's Quarters Style:
INTEGRAL
Keeper's Quarters Construction:
WOOD
Other Structures:
ALL BURNED W/EXCEPTION OF CONCRETE OIL HOUSE; ORIG./BARN, FOG SIGNAL BLDG., STORAGE SHED, 3 KEEPERS, CARPENTER/BLACKSMITH SHOP, STABLES, CISTERNS, AND WOODEN ABOVE GROUND WATER STORAGE TANKS
OPTICS
Current Optic:
REMOVED
Original Optic Type:
FOURTH ORDER, GROUP FLASHING
Year Original Lens Installed:
1912
Private Aid:
No
USCG Access to Optics:
No
Entered by:
Entered Date:
Jul 20, 2017
Historical Information:
Punta Gorda originally consisted of 22 acres upon which were situated three dwellings, a small two-story concrete lighthouse, concrete oil house, a wooden fog signal building, blacksmith/carpenter-shop, three storage sheds, and a barn. In 1951 all aids-to-navigation were discontinued, the buildings boarded up and personnel was transferred. Whereabouts of the lens is unknown. The property was transferred to the Bureau of Land Management. In the late 1960’s "hippies" moved into the quarters and improved them. Local authorities evicted these people and the Bureau of Land Management burned all the buildings except the Lighthouse and oil house. Punta Gorda was and is a very difficult station to reach. Most of the years it was in operation access was via horse, and during good weather horse-drawn wagon. After the Coast Guard assumed command a rough road was constructed (that usually washed out) and a jeep was used for transportation.
- Restored in 2023