St. George Reef Lightouse

The only Off Shore Lighthouse in the World with Public Access.

The Result of a Tragedy

In July, 1865, the coastal steamer Brother Jonathan sank on St. George Reef, with the loss of over 150 lives. As a result, planning was begun to place a lighthouse in these treacherous waters. Constructed between 1882-1892, St. George is called America's most expensive lighthouse, costing in excess of $700,000. Built on a small wave washed rock 6 miles off the coast near Crescent City, California, the lighthouse is composed of hundreds of individually cut granite blocks that were quarried nearly 100 miles South and transported to the site by steamer. Capped by a cast iron lantern room which housed a giant First Order lens, the structure rises 150 feet above the sea.

One of the Most Dangerous Stations

Over its years of service, St. George Lighthouse has withstood storms in which waves broke glass in the lantern room, and it was considered to be one of the most dangerous stations in the lighthouse service; during its history, four keepers have been killed while on duty.

National Register of Historical Places

Manned by personnel of the U.S. Lighthouse Service and later the Coast Guard, it was in operation until 1975. Its magnificent Fresnel Lens was removed to the Del Norte Country Historical Society Museum in 1983. Through the efforts of the St. George Reef Lighthouse Preservation Society (SGRLPS), the lighthouse was nominated to the National Register of Historic Places in 1993.

St. George Reef Lighthouse Museum Collection

The Del Norte County Museum located at 577 "H" Street in Crescent City, has an excellent collection of material from St. George, including its magnificent Fresnel lens. A special two-story viewing room was built to house it. In addition, the museum has a collection of material from St. George, including photographs illustrating its history

Location

The lighthouse is located 6 miles at sea near the California/Oregon border. It can be viewed from Crescent City, California to Brooking's, Oregon and reached by helicopter. The rock on which the lighthouse was built is only 17 feet above sea level and affords no safe landing for boats. Originally, the lighthouse had a boom and derrick that hoisted men and supplies from the rolling deck of a lighthouse tender. After the steel derrick replaced the original wooden one, the tender launch could be lifted to the lower staging area at St. George.

Lighthouse Tours by Helicopter

Due to progress in restoration efforts, the SGRLPS is now offering helicopter flights and tours of the lighthouse to the public.

Weather permitting, flights will depart from the Crescent City Airport in a four place Raven R-44 helicopter. Passengers enjoy a six-minute flight to the lighthouse then landing on a 42-foot wide section of the caisson roof near the base of the tower. From there they are greeted by Society representatives and taken for a one-hour tour.

Flights are $170.00 per person
Cash or check only.

SGRLPS Tours
P.O. Box 577
Crescent City, CA 95531
E-mail: tours@stgeorgereeflighthouse.ustours@stgeorgereeflighthouse.us
1-707-464-8299

Note: Due to flights that can be rescheduled or canceled due to weather or other unforeseen events, be sure to keep checking back to this SGRLHPS website for the latest information.

The St. George Reef Lighthouse Preservation Society

SGRLPS is a non-profit organization formed in 1988 whose goals were to first acquire and then preserve the St. George Reef lighthouse. The Government Services Administration (GSA), and Del Norte County completed the final transfer of St. George to the Society in 1996. The aim of the Society is to preserve this historic structure for future generations and to tell the story of the role this lighthouse played in the maritime history of the West Coast.

To help save the lighthouse, contact the society directly.