- Piedras Blancas Light
Infobox Lighthouse
caption = U.S. Coast Guard Archive
location =San Simeon Bay ,California
coordinates = coord|35|39|56|N|121|17|04|W|region:US_type:landmark
yearbuilt = 1875
yearlit = 1879 (current tower)
automated = 1975
yeardeactivated =
foundation =Masonry
construction =Brick
shape = Conical with flat top
marking = white
height = 74 ft, 142 feet above sea level
currentlens = VRB-25
lens = First order bivalveFresnel lens
range = 21 nm
characteristic = Flashing white 10s
admiralty = G3982
ARLHS = USA-598
USCG = 6-0265Piedras Blancas Lighthouse is a
lighthouse inCalifornia ,United States , on the northern entrance toSan Simeon Bay ,California . It is an active private aid to navigation, and is maintained by the United StatesBureau of Land Management . Guided tours for visitors are available, 10 AM Tuesday and Thursday, for information call 805-927-7361 or email PiedrasBlancasTours@gmail.comHistory
The first-order Fresnel lens on the 115-foot Piedras Blancas Lighthouse was first illuminated in 1875. On December 31, 1948 and January 1, 1949 three magnitude 3.8 to 4.6 earthquakes centered 6 miles off the point damaged the lantern room. The lens, lantern room, ornate railing, and the upper portion of the tower were removed, reducing the height of the tower to 74 feet. The lens in now on display in the nearby community of [http://www.cambriahistoricalsociety.org/historicalnotes.html#lens Cambria] The
United States Coast Guard staffed the lighthouse until 1975, when the tower was automated and the station unmanned.Pinniped colonies
An elephant seal colony of about 7500 individuals is located near the lighthouse year-round. Fenced observation areas are available for visitors.
External links
* [http://www.piedrasblancas.gov Piedras Blancas Light Station (BLM)]
* [http://www.cambriahistoricalsociety.org/historicalnotes.html#lighthouse Cambria Historical Society]
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