Guard Island Light facts for kids
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| Guard Island Light | |
 Guard Island Light
Location in Alaska
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| Location | Guard Island Tongass Narrows entrance Clarence Strait Alaska United States |
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| Coordinates | 55°26′46″N 131°52′52″W / 55.445990°N 131.881165°W |
| Year first constructed | 1904 (first) |
| Year first lit | 1924 (current) |
| Automated | 1969 |
| Foundation | Concrete |
| Construction | Reinforced concrete |
| Tower shape | Square tower with balcony and lantern on oil house |
| Markings / pattern | White tower, black lantern |
| Height | 30 feet (9.1 m) |
| Focal height | 74 feet (23 m) |
| Original lens | Fourth Order Fresnel lens |
| Range | 17 nautical miles (31 km; 20 mi) |
| Characteristic | Fl W 10s. emergency light (Fl W 6s.) of reduced intensity when main light is extinguished. |
| Admiralty number | G6046 |
| ARLHS number | ALK-008 |
| USCG number | 6-22300 |
The Guard Island Light is a special lighthouse in southeastern Alaska. It stands on a small island near the start of the Tongass Narrows. This area is part of the Clarence Strait. The lighthouse helps ships find their way safely through these waters.
Contents
History of Guard Island Light
In 1901, experts looked at 15 possible places for lighthouses in Alaska. Guard Island was chosen as the sixth most important spot. This was because it would help ships traveling through Southeast Alaska's Inside Passage. The northern part of the Tongass Narrows was a tricky area for ships. Many ships used this route during the Klondike Gold Rush. They were heading to places like Juneau and Skagway.
Building the First Lighthouse
Work on the Guard Island Lighthouse started in the summer of 1903. It was finished by September 1904. The first lighthouse was a 34-foot (10 m) tall wooden tower. Inside, it had a special Fresnel lens that shone a steady white light.
However, the wood used for this lighthouse, and others in Alaska, did not last long. The harsh weather conditions caused the wood to rot. By the 1920s, most of these wooden lighthouses were falling apart.
Rebuilding the Lighthouse
In 1922, the government decided to rebuild the Guard Island Light. In 1924, the old wooden tower was replaced. The new lighthouse was made of strong, reinforced concrete. It was a single-story, rectangular tower.
The Coast Guard took over the lighthouse in 1969. They made it "automated," meaning it no longer needed people living there to operate it. Machines now control the light.
A Historic Landmark
In 2004, the Guard Island Lighthouse was recognized as a historic place. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places. This means it is an important part of history. The historic area includes the lighthouse building, another structure, and the land around them. The total area is about 10.4 acres (4.2 ha).
