Alaska Lighthouses

The U.S. purchased Alaska from Russia in 1867. There were no lighthouses in the territory until the end of the 1800s, when the discovery of gold in Canada's neighboring Yukon Territory brought a rush of settlers and commerce to the southeastern coastal region. Eldred Rock Light is the only survivorfrom a series of quickly-built wooden lighthouses. The early lights were replaced in the 1920s and 1930s by an interesting group of Art Deco concrete towers. Many of the lighthouses of southeastern Alaska have been transferred to local preservation groups, but there is no statewide preservation society. ARLHS numbers are from the ARLHS World List of Lights. Admiralty numbers are from Volume G of the Admiralty List of Lights & Fog Signals. USCG numbers are from volume 6 of the U.S. Coast Guard List of Lights. What's Hot: General Sources Alaska Lighthouses Excellent photos and informative accounts from Kraig Anderson. Alaska Lighthouses A large collection of fine photos by "The Lighthouse People," Sandra and Bob Shanklin. Photo Gallery from Around Juneau Posted by the National Weather Service office in Juneau, this page has photos of five lighthouses of the Juneau region. Lighthouses of Juneau This page, posted by Auke Bay Landing Craft, has photos and historical information on the Five Finger, Point Retreat, and Sentinel Island Lights.

Eldred Rock Light, June 2006 Creative Commons photo by Rob Evans

Southeast Alaska Lighthouses

Tree Point (2) 1935 (station established 1905). Active; focal plane 86 ft (26 m); white flash every 6 s. 66 ft (20 m) square cylindrical reinforced concrete tower with lantern, attached to an oil house; solar-powered VRB-25 lens (1977). Lighthouse is white concrete; lantern painted red. The lantern was transferred from the 1905 lighthouse. The original 4° Fresnel lens (1905), removed in 1968, is on display at the Tongass Historical Museum in Ketchikan. A Coast Guard photo is at right. In November 2004 the light station was added to the National Register of Historic Places. Located on the mainland overlooking the Revillagigedo Channel about 6 miles (10 km) north of the Canadian border, within the Misty Fjords National Monument (part of the Tongass National Forest). Accessible only by boat or float plane; best seen on air tours from Ketchikan. Site open, tower closed. Owner/site manager: U.S. Coast Guard. ARLHS ALK-012; Admiralty G6002; USCG 6-21840. Mary Island (2) 1937 (station established 1903). Active; focal plane 76 ft (23 m); white flash every 6 s. 61 ft (18.5 m) square cylindrical reinforced concrete tower on the roof of square concrete fog signal building; 250 mm lens. The original 4° Fresnel lens is on display at the Juneau-Douglas Museum in Juneau. The lighthouse is reported to be in poor condition. Located on the northeast coast of Mary Island in the Revillagigedo Channel south of Ketchikan. Accessible only by boat or float plane, and landing is not easy. Site open, tower closed. Owner/site manager: U.S. Coast Guard. ARLHS ALK-009; Admiralty G6006; USCG 6-21940.

Tree Point Light; U.S. Coast Guard photo

Guard Island (2)

1924 (station established 1904). Active; focal plane 74 ft (22.5 m); white flash every 10 s. 30 ft (9 m) square cylindrical reinforced concrete tower with lantern and gallery, centered on the roof of a square concrete oil house; DCB-24 aerobeacon. Lighthouse is white concrete; lantern painted black. The keeper's house and other light station buildings were demolished in 1973. The Shanklins have additional aerial photos. A preservation group, Guard Island Heritage, was formed to seek ownership of the light station under NHLPA; the group has plans for restoration and tourist development. Lighthouse Digest has a 2001 article on the start of these efforts, as well as another photo, and SitNews, the Sitka newspaper, has a feature article on life at the station. In January 2004 the light station was listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Located on a island in the entrance to the Tongass Narrows from Clarence Strait, 9 miles (15 km) northwest of Ketchikan. Accessible only by boat or float plane; boat tours from Ketchikan are available in the summer. Site open, tower closed. Owner/site manager: U.S. Coast Guard. ARLHS ALK-008; Admiralty G6046; USCG 6-22300.

Lightship WLV-196 Umatilla

1946 (Defoe Shipbuilding, Bay City, Michigan). Deactivated in 1971. 128 ft (39 m) two-masted steel lightship; beam 9 m (30 ft); lantern on the front mast. Ship painted white. Anderson has a good page for the ship, and Tom LeCompte has contributed photos taken in 2004. Long forgotten by lighthouse fans, this vessel was rediscovered in 2000. The ship served at Pollack Rip and Nantucket Shoals in Massachusetts before being transferred to Umatilla Reef, Washington. The Coast Guard has the history of the vessel's service, and the Lightship Sailors Association has two articles on its history. The ship was bought by Tom Faro, owner of Southeast Stevedoring, as a remote longshore camp for crews loading log ships. The ship was formerly moored at Pennock Island across the harbor from Ketchikan, but Anderson reports that in August 2007 it was moved to a new location north of the Ketchikan airport. Site status unknown; visits to the vessel can be arranged by contacting Tom LeCompte in Ketchikan. Owner/site manager: private. ARLHS ALK-013.

[Lincoln Rock (2) (Lincoln Rock West)]

1944 (station established 1903). Active; focal plane 58 ft (18 m); white flash every 6 s. Approx. 30 ft (9 m) square pyramidal steel skeletal tower built on the large concrete base of the 1903 lighthouse. No photo available, but Google has a fuzzy satellite view. The original lighthouse was abandoned in 1909 after being damaged by a storm. In 1911 a manned fog signal station was built on Lincoln Island about 440 yd (400 m) from the rock, and in 1944 a skeletal light tower was added. The fog signal station was demolished after being deactivated in 1968 and only foundations of the buildings remain along with the skeletal tower. Located at the western end of Clarence Strait about 55 miles (90 km) northwest of Ketchikan. Accessible only boat. Site and tower closed. Owner/site manager: U.S. Coast Guard. ARLHS ALK-014; USCG 6-22470.

Cape Decision 1932. Active; focal plane 96 ft (29 m); white flash every 5 s. 76 ft (23 m) square cylindrical reinforced concrete tower with lantern and gallery, mounted on the roof of a square concrete fog signal building; solar-powered VRB-25 aerobeacon (1996). The original 3° Fresnel lens is on display at the Clausen Museum in Petersburg. The lighthouse is white concrete; the lantern is painted black. NWS Juneau has two photos, Anderson has good photos, and the Shanklins have a portfolio of aerial photos. In 2004 ownership of the lighthouse was transferred to the Cape Decision Lighthouse Society, which plans to restore the light station. In 2005 the station was added to the National Register of Historic Places. Located at the southern end of Kuiu Island at the point between the entrances to the Chatham and Sumner Straits. Accessible only by boat or float plane. Site open, tower closed. Owner/site manager: Cape Decision Lighthouse Society. ARLHS ALK-001; Admiralty G6286; USCG 6-1020. Rockwell Date unknown. Active (privately maintained); focal plane 50 ft (15 m); continuous red light. 42 ft (13 m) octagonal wood tower with lantern and gallery, attached to a 1-story wood bed and breakfast inn. A good 2006 photo is available, and Google has a fuzzy satellite view. The lighthouse marks the Rockwell Reef, 100 yards (90 m) offshore. Located on Rockwell Island in Sitka harbor, about 3/4 mi (1.2 km) south of the city's waterfront. Accessible only by boat. Site and tower open, at least to guests of the inn. Owner/site manager: Rockwell Lighthouse Bed and Breakfast. ARLHS ALK-017; Admiralty G6393; USCG 6-24955.

Cape Decision Light; U.S. Coast Guard photo

Five Finger Islands (2)

1935 (station established 1902). Active; focal plane 81 ft (24.5 m); white flash every 10 s. 68 ft (20.5 m) square cylindrical reinforced concrete tower with lantern, centered on the roof of a square 1-story concrete keeper's house; solar-powered VRB-25 aerobeacon (1997). Lighthouse is white concrete; lantern painted black. One of Alaska's two oldest light stations. Anderson has an excellent page for the lighthouse, and NWS Juneau has four photos. Preservationists in Juneau are working to restore the light station; a 1999 grant through the State of Alaska helped provide visitor access. In 2004 ownership of the light station was transferred to the preservation group, and the lighthouse was added to the National Register of Historic Places. Located on a small island in Frederick Sound on the approaches to Juneau. Accessible only by boat or float plane. Site open, tower closed. Owner/site manager: Juneau Lighthouse Association. ARLHS ALK-007; Admiralty G6342; USCG 6-23280.

** Sentinel Island (2)

1935 (station established 1902). Active; focal plane 86 ft (26 m); white flash every 10 s. 51 ft (15.5 m) square cylindrical reinforced concrete tower with lantern, rising from the front of a square concrete fog signal building; solar-powered VRB-25 aerobeacon (1997). The original 4° Fresnel lens is on display at Alki Point Light in Seattle, Washington. The lighthouse is white concrete; lantern painted red. The keeper's house was burned in 1971. One of Alaska's two oldest light stations. In 1998 a preservation group leased the lighthouse and opened it for custom day tours or overnight visitors. The society plans to establish a Southeast Alaska Maritime Interpretive Center. In April 2004 the light station was transferred to the society under the National Historic Lighthouse Preservation Act. Located on an island at the northern end of Favorite Channel about 25 miles (40 km) northwest of Juneau. Visible from AK 7. Accessible only by boat or float plane. Transportation to the light station can be arranged by Auke Bay Landing Craft, and the Gastineau Channel Historical Society offers tours during the summer months. Site and tower open for guided tours, group events, and overnight stays by appointment (call 907-586-5338). Owner/site manager: Gastineau Channel Historical Society. ARLHS ALK-011; Admiralty G6538; USCG 6-23850.

Point Retreat (2) 1923 (station established 1904). Active; focal plane 63 ft (19 m); white flash every 6 s. 25 ft (7.5 m) square cylindrical reinforced concrete tower with lantern and gallery, mounted on the roof of a square concrete fog signal building. The original lantern was removed in the 1950s but replaced by a replica in 2004. Solar-powered 300 mm lens. Lighthouse is white concrete; lantern painted black. 1-1/2 story wood keeper's house; a second keeper's house was demolished in 1966 to make way for a helicopter landing pad. Brian Jackson's photo is at right, Anderson has an excellent page with good photos, and NWS Juneau also has two photos. In 2000 a dispute broke out over ownership of the light station; the Alaska Lighthouse Association wants to develop the site as a tourist attraction, but its plans were opposed by the U.S. Forest Service. ALA sought 1505 acres (609 ha) surrounding the lighthouse, and the administration wanted to lease only 10 acres (4 ha). In 2002, the 1505 acres were transferred to the ownership of the Association by act of Congress. ALA plans to locate a bed and breakfast in the keeper's house. In 2002, all the buildings were repainted by ALA volunteers. In July 2003 the lighthouse was added to the National Register of Historic Places. Located at the northernmost point of Admiralty Island west of Juneau, overlooking the entrance to the Lynn Canal. In 2004 a replica of the original lantern room was installed. Accessible only by boat or float plane. Site open, tower closed. Owner/site manager: Alaska Lighthouse Association. ARLHS ALK-010; Admiralty G6528; USCG 6-23955.

Point Retreat Light Station, June 2007 Creative Commons photo by Brian Jackson

[Point Sherman (2)]

1981 (station established 1904). 6 m (20 ft) post light, also carrying two diamond-shaped daymarkers painted in and red and white checkerboard pattern. The 1-1/2 story wood keeper's house of the original light station survives nearby in poor condition. The original lighthouse was automated and reduced to a minor light in 1917. In 1932 it was replaced by a buoy offshore and presumably demolished. The present light stands on the original foundation. Located on a headland on the east side of the Lynn canal about 40 mi (65 km) northwest of Juneau. Accessible only by boat. Site open. Owner: U.S. Coast Guard (tower) and U.S. Forest Service (keeper's house). Site manager: Tongass National Forest. ARLHS ALK-015; USCG 6-23865.

Eldred Rock

1905. Active; focal plane 91 ft (28 m); white flash every 6 s. 56 ft (17 m) octagonal cylindrical wood tower with lantern and gallery, centered on the roof of 2-story octagonal wood keeper's house; solar-powered 250 mm lens. The original 4° clamshell Fresnel lens was cleaned in 2001 and is on display at the Sheldon Museum in Haines. Lighthouse painted white, lantern and gallery black; the keeper's house roof is a conspicuous red. Rob Evans's photo appears at the top of this page, and Anderson has an excellent page for this lighthouse. This is the oldest lighthouse in Alaska and the only survivor of a series of octagonal frame lighthouses built in the state between 1902 and 1905. The lighthouse has been reported to be in disrepair, but in 2005 the Coast Guard painted the building, fixed the roof, and did other minor maintenance. The museum has formed the Eldred Rock Lighthouse Committee to work for its restoration and hopes to request ownership under the National Historic Lighthouse Preservation Act. These plans have been held up by the U.S. Forest Service, which has refused to relinquish the land on which the station stands. Located in the Lynn Canal on the approaches to Haines. Accessible only by boat or float plane. Site and tower closed. Owner: U.S. Coast Guard. Site manager: Sheldon Museum and Cultural Center. ARLHS ALK-006; Admiralty G6543; USCG 6-23880.

Cape Spencer

1925. Active; focal plane 105 ft (32 m); white flash every 10 s. 25 ft (7.5 m) square cylindrical reinforced concrete tower with lantern and gallery, centered on the roof of a square concrete keeper's quarters and fog signal building; solar-powered VRB-25 aerobeacon (1998). The original 3° Fresnel lens is on display at the Alaska State Museum in Juneau. Lighthouse painted white, lantern and gallery black; the keeper's house roof is a conspicuous red. NWS Juneau has two photos. Located on the north side of the entrance to Cross Sound, the western approach from the Pacific to Juneau and Haines. Accessible only by boat or float plane. Site and tower closed. Owner: U.S. Coast Guard. Site manager: Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve. ARLHS ALK-004; Admiralty G6508; USCG 6-1070.

South Coast Lighthouses
Cape St. Elias

1916. Active; focal plane 85 ft (26 m); white flash every 10 s. 55 ft (17 m) square cylindrical reinforced concrete tower with lantern and gallery, rising from the corner of a square concrete fog signal building; solar-powered VRB-25 aerobeacon (1998). The original 3° Fresnel lens is on display at the Cordova Museum in Cordova. 3-story brick keeper's quarters. The lighthouse is white concrete; lantern painted red. One of the most remote of all U.S. lighthouses. Anderson has a fine page for the lighthouse, the Coast Guard has a dramatic historic photo, Lighthouse Digest featured the lighthouse in December 2000, and Google has a satellite view. Endangered: the Shanklins found the lighthouse in poor condition. A new preservation group began restoration in summer 2000 by repairing the roof of the keeper's quarters and renovating the building for overnight stays. Located on the southwestern end of Kayak Island, which juts 25 miles (40 km) into the Pacific southeast of Prince William Sound. Accessible only by boat or helicopter. Site open, tower closed. Owner: U.S. Coast Guard. Site manager: Cape St. Elias Lighthouse Keepers Association. ARLHS ALK-005; Admiralty G6582; USCG 6-1100.

* Odiak Pharos

late 1970s. Active (privately maintained); focal plane 26 ft (8 m); continuous white light. 18 ft (5.5 m) octagonal tower with a small lantern centered on an observation deck at the top. Anderson has two photos, the Shanklins also have a photo, Lighthouse Digest has an article on the lighthouse, and Google has a fuzzy satellite view. This is the northernmost lighthouse in the U.S. Located at 1315 Whitshed Road southwest of the Cordova waterfront. Site open, tower status uncertain. Owner/site manager: Cordova Rose Lodge. ARLHS ALK-018; Admiralty G6646; USCG 6-25625.

Cape Hinchinbrook (2)

1934 (station established 1910). Active; focal plane 235 ft (71.5 m); white flash every 15 s. 67 ft (20 m) octagonal cylindrical reinforced concrete tower with lantern, attached to concrete fog signal building; solar-powered VRB-25 aerobeacon (1998). Lighthouse is white concrete; lantern painted black. 1-story reinforced concrete keeper's house. The original 3° Fresnel lens is on display at the Valdez Museum in Valdez. The museum has proposed to build a replica of the earlier (1910) light tower in downtown Valdez. Kebby Kelley has contributed a 2003 Coast Guard closeup photo, and the Coast Guard also has a historic photo. Located on the east side of the entrance to the sound from the Pacific about 65 miles (105 km) south of Valdez. Site and tower closed. Owner/site manager: U.S. Coast Guard. ARLHS ALK-002; Admiralty G6592; USCG 6-1125.

* Homer Spit

Date unknown (before 1964). Active; focal plane 34 ft (10.5 m); green flash every 6 s. Approx. 26 ft (8 m) octagonal wood-shingled tower with lantern, mounted atop a 2-story motel. Building and tower painted gray, lantern red. The lantern is empty; the light is displayed from a short post on the lantern roof. Google has a satellite view, and the lighthouse also appears in a historic photo showing damage to the area following the 1964 Cook Inlet earthquake and tsunami. Homer is a town on the north side of the entrance to Kachemak Bay from Cook Inlet, south of Anchorage. Homer Spit is a 4.5 mi (7.5 km) gravel bar that extends across more than half the mouth of the bay. At the southeast end of the spit is a harbor, a ferry terminal of the Alaska Marine Highway, and a resort. The lighthouse is at the extreme end of the spit. Site open, tower closed. USCG 6-26200.

[Scotch Cap (4)]

Date unknown (station established 1903). Active; focal plane 110 ft (33.5 m); white flash every 6 s. Skeletal tower. The second Scotch Cap Light, built in 1940, was destroyed by a tsunami on April 1, 1946, killing its 5 crew members. The Coast Guard magazine has a story on this disaster, the worst ever to befall a U.S. light station. In 1950, a fog signal building with a light on a short tower replaced the destroyed lighthouse; this structure has now been replaced by a skeletal light tower with no fog signal. Located on the southwestern coast of Unimak Island marking the southern entrance to Unimak Pass. Site closed. Site manager: U.S. Coast Guard. ARLHS ALK-016; Admiralty G6912; USCG 6-1220.

[Cape Sarichef (3)]

1979 (station established 1904). Active; focal plane 170 ft (52 m); white flash every 2.5 s. Skeletal tower. Lighthouse Explorer's photo, contributed by Robert Deering, shows the 1950 lighthouse, a short hexagonal tower mounted at one end of a white rectangular fog signal building. This building was demolished in 1999. Located on the northwestern coast of Unimak Island marking the northern entrance to Unimak Pass. Site closed. Site manager: U.S. Coast Guard. ARLHS ALK-003; Admiralty G6916; USCG 6-1230.

Information available on lost lighthouses

• Fairway Island (1904-1917), Peril Strait
• Point Hope (1924-?), Arctic Ocean
• Sitka (Baranof Castle) (1837-1877), Sitka; historic photos are available.

Return to the Lighthouse Directory index

Checked and revised May 6, 2008. Lighthouses: 14. Lightships: 1. Site copyright 2008 Russ Rowlett and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.