POST Seeks to Preserve
Pigeon Point Lighthouse

October 2, 2002

The U.S. Coast Guard is handing off one of the most picturesque and historically significant lighthouses on the West Coast.

The Peninsula Open Space Trust (POST), in partnership with the California State Department of Parks and Recreation and the California State Parks Foundation, is working to ensure the 129-year-old Pigeon Point lighthouse is restored, preserved and remains in public ownership.

Authorized by the National Historic Lighthouse Preservation Act of 2000, the Coast Guard is transferring excess lighthouses to non-profit organizations, federal agencies, and state and local governments with an interest in their preservation, and with the resources to maintain them. In the event that no suitable applicants are found, the lighthouses will be sold.

"The lighthouse symbolizes our work to give permanent protection to the beautiful, rural San Mateo County coast," POST President Audrey Rust said. "It is a majestic lighthouse surrounded by open space that visitors from around the world travel here to see. State Parks and POST will ensure that it remains open to the public now and in the future."

Located 6 miles north of Año Nuevo State Preserve, the Pigeon Point lighthouse is currently leased to State Parks, which manages the building and adjacent youth hostel. The lighthouse was closed to the public earlier this year after two large pieces of brick and metal fell from the 115-foot tower. These and other extensive repairs, which could cost millions of dollars, are needed to return the lighthouse to a condition safe for public use.

POST has had a longstanding interest in the preservation of the lighthouse and surrounding lands. POST acquired the adjacent 3-acre Whaler's Cove property in the spring of 2000, and removed a four-building motel that was under construction in front of lighthouse. The land trust also preserved public access to the beach, which was closed by the builder of the motel in 1994.

In addition, POST protected 1,719 acres surrounding the lighthouse known as Bolsa Point Ranches in the fall of 2000, and the adjacent 5,638-acre Cloverdale Coastal Ranch in 1996. POST plans to transfer portions of these properties to State Parks for preservation and management as part of the Pigeon Point Light Station State Historic Park.

POST is a leading private, public benefit land trust dedicated to preserving the beauty and character of the Peninsula's natural resources.