The Point Reyes Lighthouse became operational on December 1, 1870. The discovery of gold in California dramatically increased traffic to and from San Francisco Bay. After multiple shipwrecks and an estimated million dollars of shipping losses, the United States Congress decided it was time to build a lighthouse. Click and drag the circle at the center of the photos left and right to compare the then and now images. Point Reyes Lighthouse Shortly after Construction, 1870 or 1871 ![]() ![]()
Left image
Right image
Feeding the Chickens, ca. 1922 ![]() ![]()
Left image
Right image
Stairway and Wooden Water Tank, ca. 1926 ![]() ![]()
Left image
Right image
Near the Base of the Stairs above the Lighthouse, 1929 ![]() ![]()
Left image
Right image
Keeper's House in the Snow, ca. 1932 ![]() ![]()
Left image
Right image
Upper Complex, 1945 ![]() ![]()
Left image
Right image
|
Last updated: June 17, 2022