The first lighthouse in Santa Cruz was completed in 1869 and first lit on New Year’s Day 1870. It was built on Point Santa Cruz. When first lit, the lighthouse emitted a fixed white light that could be seen 14 miles out to sea. The lantern used was a Fresnel, made in Paris. In 1880 the clear glass lamp chimney was changed to red glass. This made the light appear red, and reduced visibility to 8.5 miles. What you see here is a portion of the brick foundation of the original lighthouse (left) and a portion of a brick cistern (right). In 1879 the lighthouse was moved inland from its original location because of dangerous sea caves beneath it. Over time the caves collapsed/eroded. These brick features became exposed in the 1990s and have eroded away ever since. Captured with 23 iPhone photos from behind a guardrail. Perhaps someday when I’m feeling like a rule-breaker I will hop the fence to get some better shots.
All information taken from “Lighthouse Point: Illuminating Santa Cruz History” by Frank Perry.
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