Alcatraz Island Lighthouse Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids
Alcatraz Island Lighthouse
Location	Alcatraz Island, San Francisco Bay, California, United States
Coordinates	37°49′34.5″N 122°25′19.8″W / 37.826250°N 122.422167°W / 37.826250; -122.422167
Year first constructed	1854 (first)
Year first lit	1909 (current)
Automated	1963
Foundation	Masonry basement
Construction	Reinforced concrete
Tower shape	Tapered octagonal tower with balcony and lantern
Markings / pattern	Unpainted tower, black lantern
Height	84 feet (26 m)
Focal height	214 feet (65 m)
Original lens	Third order Fresnel lens (removed), DCB-24 aerobeacon (current)
Range	22 nautical miles (41 km; 25 mi)
Characteristic	Fl W 5s.

The Alcatraz Island Lighthouse is a famous lighthouse located on Alcatraz Island in California's San Francisco Bay. It was the very first lighthouse built on the U.S. West Coast. You can find it at the southern end of the island, close to the entrance of the former prison.

The first lighthouse on Alcatraz was finished in 1854. It helped guide ships while the island was a military fort and later a military prison. A new, taller concrete tower replaced it in 1909. This new lighthouse was built after the original one was damaged in the 1906 San Francisco earthquake.

The lighthouse became automated in 1963. This means machines took over its operation, the same year the Alcatraz Federal Penitentiary closed. Today, it is the oldest light station on the island with a modern beacon. It is also part of the museum on Alcatraz Island.

History of Alcatraz Lighthouse
Lighthouse Structure
Lighthouse Keepers
Images for kids
Gallery
See also

History of Alcatraz Lighthouse

The island of Alcatraz got its name from Spanish explorer Juan de Ayala in 1775. He saw many pelicans there, so he named it "Isla de los Alcatraces," which means "Island of Pelicans." The island is about 1 mile (1.6 km) from the mainland.

After the California gold rush, many ships came to the West Coast. The waters were often rough, so there was a big need for lighthouses to guide ships safely. In 1851 and 1852, the U.S. Congress decided to build seven lighthouses on the West Coast.

A company from Baltimore was chosen to build these lighthouses. The Alcatraz Lighthouse was the first one to be finished in July 1853. This made it the oldest major navigational light on the West Coast.

At first, older types of lamps were planned for the lighthouses. But then, the Lighthouse Board decided to use the more advanced Fresnel lens. This special lens, invented by Augustin Fresnel, made the light much brighter and more visible. The equipment for the lighthouse had to travel a long way by sea, about 12,000 miles (19,000 km), from the East Coast.

The first Alcatraz Lighthouse was lit on June 1, 1854. It used a fixed, third-order Fresnel lens. In 1902, this lens was moved to a lighthouse in Alaska. A new, revolving lens was installed, which flashed white every five seconds.

Between 1909 and 1912, the main prison building on Alcatraz was constructed. This new building would block the light from the old lighthouse. Also, the original lighthouse had been damaged during the big San Francisco earthquake of 1906. So, a new, taller concrete tower was built south of the old one. The old lighthouse was eventually taken down.

In 1963, the United States Coast Guard made the Alcatraz Lighthouse automatic. This meant it no longer needed keepers to operate it. In 1970, a fire destroyed some buildings on the island, including the warden's house. But the tall concrete lighthouse tower with its modern beacon remained. Since 2000, the lighthouse has been a museum that visitors can explore. It has survived many events, including fires and prison escapes, without serious damage.

Lighthouse Structure

The first lighthouse was about 50 feet (15 meters) tall. It looked like a typical "Cape Cod style" lighthouse. In this design, the light tower was built right into the keeper's house, sitting on top of the roof. Building the foundation started in 1852. The house and light were ready in 1853. The lens arrived in October 1853, and the light was turned on by Michael Cassin on June 1, 1854. This was a big moment, as it was the first lighthouse on the Pacific Coast. The old lighthouse was damaged in the earthquake on April 18, 1906.

The current lighthouse is 84 feet (26 meters) tall and stands 214 feet (65 meters) above sea level. It is located south of where the first lighthouse stood. Its base is made of masonry, and the tower itself is an eight-sided shape made of concrete.

Near the bottom of the tower, there were homes for three lighthouse keepers and their families. Other lighthouses like this were built in places like San Diego and Monterey. In the 1930s, a telephone was installed in the keepers' living area. When the Federal Penitentiary opened, more telephones were added for others to use.

Lighthouse keepers, sometimes called "wickies," were in charge of the lighthouse. They also operated the fog signals at the north and south ends of the island. Prison guards helped them by watching for fog. When they saw fog rolling in, they would tell the keepers to turn on the fog horns.

Lighthouse Keepers

The lighthouse keepers, also known as "wickies," wore special uniforms. These uniforms included a navy blue hat, coat, vest, and trousers. They also had decorative buttons and patches. The keepers worked in eight-hour shifts. The lighthouse beacon stayed lit all year round. During the day, the lens was covered to protect it from the sun.

Some of the head lighthouse keepers on Alcatraz Island included: