List of lighthouses in Puerto Rico facts for kids
Lighthouses in Puerto Rico are tall towers with bright lights. They were mostly built in the late 1800s. These important buildings helped guide ships safely along the coast. They showed sailors where the land was and helped them avoid dangers.
In 1869, the Spanish government made the first plan for lighthouses in Puerto Rico. They wanted to help ships sailing in the waters around the island. Lighthouses were placed in high, clear spots. These spots had great views of the sea.
Lighthouses were grouped by how strong their light was. Bigger lighthouses had wider lights. These warned ships they were getting close to land. Smaller lighthouses guided ships into smaller ports and bays. They also helped connect the main lighthouses.
After the Spanish–American War in 1898, the United States took over the lighthouses. In 1900, the United States Lighthouse Board became in charge of them. Since 1939, the Coast Guard has taken care of these lights.
Many lighthouses in Puerto Rico are now considered historic. In 1981, they were added to the National Register of Historic Places. This is a list of important places in the U.S. In 2000, Puerto Rico also added them to its own historic properties list.
Today, the Coast Guard is giving control of some lighthouses to local groups. These groups often restore the lighthouses. Many are now open for people to visit. For example, in 2001, the Cape San Juan Light was given to a local organization. This was the first time a lighthouse in Puerto Rico was given to a non-government group.
Exploring Puerto Rico's Lighthouses
Puerto Rico has many interesting lighthouses. Here is a list of some of them:
| Name | Town | Built | Tower Height (meters/feet) |
Light Height (meters/feet) |
Status | Condition |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Los Morrillos Light | Cabo Rojo | 1882 | 12 m (40 ft.) | 37 m (121 ft) | Active | Restored for visitors |
| Punta Higuero Light | Rincón | 1892 | 21 m (69 ft) | 27 m (90 ft) | Active | Fully restored and part of El Faro Park |
| Punta Borinquen Light | Aguadilla | 1892 | 18 m (60 ft) | 89 m (292 ft) | Active | Working |
| Arecibo Light | Arecibo | 1898 | 14 m (46 ft) | 36 m (120 ft) | Active | Restored for visitors |
| Port San Juan Light | San Juan | 1846 | 15.5 m (51 ft) | 55 m (181 ft) | Active | Restored for visitors. Also known as El Morro Light. |
| Cape San Juan Light | Fajardo | 1880 | 14 m (45 ft) | 79 m (260 ft) | Active | Restored for visitors |
| Guánica Light | Guanica | 1893 | N/A | N/A | Inactive | In ruins |
| Cardona Island Light | Ponce | 1889 | 11 m (36 ft) | 14 m (46 ft) | Active | Good condition |
| Caja de Muertos Light | Ponce | 1887 | 19 m (63 ft) | 91 m (297 ft) | Active | Restored for visitors |
| Punta de las Figuras Light | Arroyo | 1893 | 15 m (50 ft) | N/A | Inactive | Restored for visitors. Damaged by Hurricane Maria in 2017. |
| Punta Tuna Light | Maunabo | 1892 | 15 m (49 ft) | 34 m (111 ft) | Active | Restored for visitors. Damaged by Hurricane Maria in 2017. |
| Mona Island Light | Mayagüez (Mona Island) |
1900 | 16 m (52 ft) | N/A | Inactive | In very bad condition. |
| Punta Mulas Light | Vieques | 1896 | 10 m (32 ft) | 21 m (68 ft.) | Active | Restored for visitors |
| Puerto Ferro Light | Vieques | 1896 | N/A | N/A | Inactive | Abandoned and falling apart |
| Culebrita Lighthouse | Culebra | 1886 | 13 m (43 ft) | 93 m (305 ft) | Active | In ruins |
| Cabras Island Light | Ceiba | 1908 | N/A | N/A | Destroyed | Abandoned in 1965 and destroyed in 1966 |
See also
In Spanish: Anexo:Faros de Puerto Rico para niños
- Lighthouses in the United States
- Lists of lighthouses and lightvessels
