AŅO NUEVO LIGHTHOUSE
Aņo Nuevo Island, California
Ruins mostly and sea lions. Probably several elephant seals. Used to be an active lighthouse here. The island lies just off Point Aņo Nuevo in the Aņo Nuevo State Reserve. North out of Santa Cruz on Hwy 1, of course. It is six miles south of Pigeon Point Lighthouse. You can see the island from any number of turnouts to the south, less so from the north. Need a telephoto for this one or a boat. You can pay to go in the park and get down on the beach, but I have not done that and don't know what view you get of the island and structures still standing.
Built in 1872 as a fog signal station, it didn't acquire a light until 1890 when they affixed a lens lantern to the top of a water tank. Then in 1915, a skeleton tower was erected with a watch and lantern room with a Fresnel lens. The lens broke during the 1926 earthquake and was replaced. You can see that tower now laying on its side with binoculars or telephoto lens.
In 1948 the light was decommissioned and replaced with an automated light and sound buoy.
OF THE MOUNTAINS
John B Caddell
Copyright 2001