Old Point Loma and Rock Harbor – the Maritime and Grand Lakes Lighthouses

In 1850 on September 28, just 19 days after California's admission to the Union, Congress appropriated $90,000 to build lighthouses along the California coast. A second appropriation of $59,434 was made to complete the work in 1854. The lighthouses were for Alcatraz Island, Point Conception, Battery Point, Farallon Island, Point Pinos and Point Loma. The place was chosen in 1851. near the top of Point Loma. The contract was awarded to Washington, D.C. company "Gibbon and Kelley". Local Supervisor - William J. Timanus. The building process began in 1854. in April, when a shipment of materials arrived from San Francisco. The lamp and lens had to be ordered from Paris and arrived in 1855. August. The lighthouse was completed by 1855 October month. and was lit for the first time in 1855. November 15 at sunset. It was designated as the twelfth United States lighthouse 355 light. When the lighthouse was built, an additional small extension was built next to it. This building was originally used as a warehouse for oil, wood and other supplies. However, in 1875 part of it was converted into a two-room apartment for the lighthouse keeper's assistant. A major renovation was due in 1880 as the annex was still used as an assistant's living quarters. Today, this building has been rebuilt once again and now functions as a museum. It contains the original lens of the New Point Loma Lighthouse, as well as maps and more information about Point Loma and its history. In operation, the lighthouse was the highest placed of any lighthouse in the United States. However, the location on a 400ft cliff meant, that fog and low clouds often blocked the light for ships. On foggy nights, the lighthouse keeper sometimes fired a shotgun to warn ships. In 1891 March 23 the flame was extinguished for good as the lower elevation New Point Loma lighthouse was lit. In 1913 President Woodrow Wilson designated the lighthouse and half an acre of land as Cabrillo National Monument. In 1935 the lighthouse was completely renovated and a new road to the monument was built. In 1949 a statue of Cabrillo, donated by the Portuguese government, was placed on the land near the lighthouse. In 1984 The National Park Service has turned the lights back on for the first time in 93 years to celebrate the site's 130th birthday. More than 3,000 people attended the celebration, including more than 100 descendants of former lighthouse keepers Robert and Maria Israel.

In 1852 due to the increase in shipping on Lake Superior, a new lighthouse was recommended for Isle Royale. The next year Congress appropriated $5,000 to build a lighthouse at Rock Harbor. Building works began in 1855 and was completed in 1856. Rock Island Light was the first lighthouse, built on Isle Royale. The first supervisor arrived at the station in 1856 on October 24, and after some time the lighthouse began to operate. The light was on for less than three years when it was determined, that it was no longer needed due to reduced copper mining traffic. It was extinguished in 1859 on August 1, the lighthouse was abandoned. During the American Civil War, copper mining increased again, and in 1873 the renovation works of the lighthouse began, after which in 1874 August 5 the light was turned on again. However, after another drop in copper prices and the activation of the 1875 On Isle Royale Light Menagerie Island, Rock Harbor Light has become less necessary. In 1879 October 4 The Rock Harbor Lighthouse was decommissioned for the second and final time, operating for a total of only eight years after its building. 1910 the caretaker's house was rebuilt, introducing attics. In the 1950s, the tower began to sway, emergency stabilization work was undertaken; the tower is still leaning about 2 degrees. The original wooden roof of the building in 1962 replaced with pine, and the foundations were strengthened in 1969. The lighthouse is currently not working.

Simple, well designed, detailed enough models of beautiful lighthouses for modelers of all experience. Advanced beginners and modelers with little experience are advised to work under the supervision of a more experienced colleague. Everything can be overcome and done, if you take your time, work patiently, carefully and precisely.