Crescent City Harbor & Lighthouses

Crescent City Harbor(s)

Marina Breakwater

Concrete Dolo

Battery Point Lighthouse

St. George Reef Lighthouse

We left Brookings on May 30^st around 1:10 pm and headed for Crescent City, passing St. George Reef and its historic lighthouse (constructed 1883-1891) located due west of our route.  After rounding Point St. George on the mainland, the lovely Battery Point Lighthouse came into view.  Crescent City fortunately has a marina that’s protected by several breakwaters, which create an inner and outer harbor.  The breakwaters are constructed of steel reinforced geometric concrete blocks called “dolos” and concrete blocks shaped like jacks.  The force of the water is dissipated by the curve of the legs.  We arrived at the marina around 4:15pm and easily found space on the guest dock.  We walked into town the next day and visited the Battery Pt. Lighthouse & Museum operated by the Del Norte Historical Society.  The Cape Cod style lighthouse was built in 1856 and the first Keeper started on Christmas Day of that year.  In 1953 the lighthouse was automated and a modern 375mm lens replaced the fourth-order Fresnel lens.  In 1964 the lens was turned off but lit again in 1982 and the Battery Pt. Lighthouse was listed as a private aid to navigation with a resident Keeper and volunteers.  The tour included the Keeper’s quarters with some original furnishings and the original Keeper’s clock.  We also climbed the spiral staircase and a ladder through a hatch-door to the lens – a unique treat.  The St. George Reef Lighthouse is also of historic significance.  The location on St. George Reef was selected due to its history of serious maritime accidents, including the 1865 wreck of a side-wheeler, the Brother Jonathan, resulting in the loss of 215 lives.  After the lighthouse was completed in 1891, it was considered to be one of the most dangerous stations in service - four keepers were killed while on duty.  The lighthouse is located 7 miles off Point St. George; surprisingly, guided tours & helicopter fly-bys are available November through April pending weather and NOAA permits – a Raven R-44 helicopter lands on a 42-foot wide section of the caisson roof near the base of the tower.

Spiral Stairs to Lighthouse Lens - Battery Pt. Lighthouse

Leonard Climbing Ladder to Lens Room