Lighthouse Restoration
Progress Update
February 15, 2024 — Just in time for Valentine's Day, the contractors Sustainable Group and ICC-Commonwealth gave Pigeon Point Lighthouse a great big hug! The crew took advantage of several sunny days to install scaffolding around the tower. This novel form of scaffolding, called bracket scaffolding, braces itself on the neck of the building without the need for full-body coverage of the building.
The park remains open daily from 8 am to sunset and throughout the construction process. The visitor center/museum in the fog signal building and the park store are open 10 am to 4 pm, Friday through Monday. Pigeon Point hostel continues to welcome guests. However, the mini-museum in the kerosene bunker is closed for the duration of construction. Additionally, the picnic tables have been shifted to the Whaler's Cove area to make room for a staging area for construction equipment and material.
Stay tuned for more updates as work continues!
Useful Links
Check this link for periodic updates: www.parks.ca.gov/PigeonPointLighthouseRestoration
Explore the park’s website for more history of the park: www.parks.ca.gov/PigeonPoint
Our Facebook page provides a view to what’s happening around the park, including special events, wildlife sightings – whales, birds, and more – as well as activities at neighboring parks.
Our Valued Partners
Coastside State Parks Association – www.coastsidestateparks.org
Friends of Santa Cruz State Parks – www.thatsmypark.org
Peninsula Open Space Trust – www.openspacetrust.org
California State Parks Foundation – www.calparks.org
California Lighthouse Society – www.calighthousesociety.org
Read past restoration progress updates
View photos of damage to be repaired
Projects on the Horizon
Tower (Upper Portion) – In 2019, the State allocated $9+ million to restore the upper portion of the tower. Because of COVID-19 and the 2020 wildfires, the bid package was never released. This work is being addressed in the new $18+ million bid package being developed for the entire tower. Work will include the lantern room, the decks and railings, the upper belt course and masonry.
(Sketch courtesy of Architectural Resources Group)
Recently Completed Ground-Level Projects
Fog Signal Building – The exterior of the fog signal building was completely refurbished. This included restoration of the fog horn trumpets on the ocean side of the building as well as stabilizing the observation deck.
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Keepers Office & Oil Room – At the base of the tower, the small Keepers office and adjacent oil room received lead abatement, painting and a new roof. The front door and windows were also refurbished. This allowed limited public tours to take visitors into the first level and tower base.
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.jpg "Keepers Office and Oil Room Before Renovation")
Oil Bunker – The 1905 oil bunker received a complete makeover, including lead abatement and painting. New interpretive exhibits were installed expanding upon those in the fog signal building. New benches were also placed outside the bunker for visitors.
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| Before: Oil Bunker Interior | After: Oil Bunker Interior |
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Picket Fence – A 200-foot stretch of dilapidated fence along the south bluff of the lighthouse was rebuilt by volunteers using donated materials.
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