Point Loma is the only lighthouse in this book for which we show an earlier tower than the one later in use. Old Point
Loma’s cottage style was very distinctive and used for the original California lighthouses at Alcatraz, Crescent City,
Point Conception, Point Pinos, Santa Barbara, and Santa Cruz.
The Light-House Board had several committees to deal with the many questions it faced. Why do you think it had a Committee
on Location? A Committee on Engineering?
Using your ruler, estimate the height of Old Point Loma Light. Then add the over 420 feet it sat on its cliff. That gives
you the focal plane of the light. Can you picture it being foggy at that elevation while down at sea level the coast was clear?
New Point Loma Lighthouse shown with cliff in the background. USCG photo
Old Point Loma in the 1930s before restored by Cabrillo National Monument
Lighthouse Maps
Twelfth Lighthouse District
Can you locate Old Point Loma Lighthouse on this map?
Click on map to view larger image
Source: 1881 Annual Report of the U.S. Light-House Board
This Reader's Guide is intended to be used with Lighthouses Short and Tall, a book for readers 11 and up written by Mary Louise and Candace Clifford. It is available from the publisher,
Cypress Communications, by using their book order form.
