Angels gate

Angels Gate

Location: SAN PEDRO BREAKWATER - ANGELS GATE, Los Angeles Harbor . Located at the end of the breakwater

Directions: San Pedro is in southern Los Angeles. To get to the area, take Interstate 110 South to the end, the lanes will make a left turn, follow the turn left into Gaffey St. Turn left on 21st Street about 1.5 miles from the end of 110.Turn right on Pacific Ave. for 1 mile.Turn left on Stephen M White Dr. and stay left into Cabrillo Beach Park, where you walk to the end of the Fishing Pier where you can see the lighthouse. The lighthouse is not directly accessible. The breakwater is fenced off and access by foot is prohibited, due to dangerous waves and currents. The lighthouse is visible at a distance from the waterfront area at Cabrillo Beach in San Pedro, and also from Point Fermin. The light is best viewed by boat.

Coordinates: 33°42′30″N 118°15′05″W
Year first lit: 1913
Active: Yes
Deactivated: No
Automated: 1971
Keepers dwelling: 1942 2 Story keepers quarters, 1938 Concrete Oil house
Foundation: Rock breakwater with Concrete Slabs
Construction: Steel and Concrete, Painted Black & white panels
Tower shape: Cylindrical with a 10 sided Octagonal concrete base
Tower Height: 69 ft (21 m), 73 ft (22.2 m) above sea level
Focal plane: 73 ft
Original lens: 4th order Fresnel lens, AT LOS ANGELES MARITIME MUSEUM
Range: 18 nm
Current lens: DCB-24, SOLAR POWERED
Fog Signal: , AIR OSCILLATER HORN: 2 blasts ev 30s (2s bl-2s si-2s bl-24s si). Operates continuously
Characteristic: green flash every 15 s. Emergency light of reduced intensity when main light is extinguished
Admiralty: G3799
ARLHS: USA-014
USCG number: 6-0135
Owner: U.S. COAST GUARD
Site manager: U.S. COAST GUARD

Journal

It was a short journey from Point Fermin Lighthouse to the area where you can see Los Angeles Harbor light. It can be seen from the tower of Point Fermin and I spoke to the docent about visiting it. It’s off limits to the general public, but I suppose one can take risks and make their way to the lighthouse on the breakwater. My first look was from the heights behind a housing estate. I had abandoned my dear wife and went off seeking a vantage point to take photographs. Climbing along the edge of a cliff, and scrambling over a fence or two, I found my spot. It gave me a good view of the harbor and the activity of boats; Kayakers and Para sailing. As I made myself comfortable, I spied upon the cliffs young lovers oblivious to my prowling about.

After a period of time I made my way back to Jean and we continued down to the harbor where the lighthouse was located. We did not spend too long here as we wanted to get to the hotel. The area is a public park with a beach. Located near the lighthouse is a life guard station, so I decided not to venture out to the breakwater, maybe another visit. With my long lens I was able to get a few shots. This was to be my last lighthouse of my vacation. I promised myself a return journey, maybe early morning, the next time. Back to my wife and give her my undisturbed attention. She certainly has been a comforting and patient companion on this trip.

A year later I was to return with my brother Eddie. It was not much different than before; I made my way out to the wharf and observed that it was filled with people fishing. It was evident that this was a port entrance; industrial cranes hugged the coastline on the opposite side of the harbor. A large cargo liner sailed by the lighthouse and the harbor itself was filled with sail boats and surfers, just outside the breakwater windsurfers where racing each other. Mother nature also had her minions pay a visit, pelicans entertained on the fishing pier and provided some precision aerobatics for the entertainment of onlookers.  The beaches were not over crowded. It had a medley of young people and families, there was not a shortage of lookout towers insuring the safety of those who came and enjoyed the sun and beach. Eddie and I spent about an hour in the area before we headed off to Santa Barbara to pick up his daughter from college. That was another adventure

History

1874, Southern Pacific Railroad completes a line to the San Pedro Area and establishes a port in the area.

1875:  A rival Railroad was built from Los Angeles to Santa Monica,wharf and new port was established thus taking away port business from San Pedro.

1876 Southern Pacific extended its line to Los Angeles , securing its port, and in the end buying out its rival.


1891-1893, 3 commissions investigate the location for a deep water port, San Pedro Bay was picked.


1899 San Pedro Breakwater was started, 9,2550 ft containing nearly 3 million tons of rock from Santa Catalina Island

1907, Plans made to build a 40ft square concrete structure at the west end of the breakwater project. Originally the design was to be a dormered, square wooden building with the lens emergent from the roof comparable to Southampton Shoals.

1910, Temporary Light established with the completion of the breakwater.

1913 Mar 1, 1st Lit at a cost of $36000, the lighthouse was completed; it was the “greeter” light as it guides the steady stream of ships into San Pedro. The construction consisted of 12 steel columns; the top 3 stories are cylindrical and sit upon the 10 sided octagonal bottom sheathed with steel plates, which in turn sits upon a 40 ft square concrete platform. This has a Romanesque appearance, and it was unique in its design. The bottom story housed the fog signal (36 inch airway beacon, dual tone fog signals, and a radio beacon inside its frame.), water and fuel tanks. The story above the octagonal was used for storage and the top 2 stories was the quarters for the light-keepers, atop the building was helical-bar lantern room which housed a 4th order Fresnel lens. The light source was an oil incandescent lamp Which flashed white every 15 seconds. The fog horn had 2 compressed air sirens powered by gas engines.It was called the Robot Light because the rectangular base on six columnar legs,only one of its kind, built at the end of a 2 mile stretch of San Pedro breakwater. 3 keepers tend the station, their families lived in town because the quarters where too small.Quarters being small often led to arguments or fights. Assistant keeper Hughes was suspended for assaulting head keeper Olsen.  Olsen put in his report "All keepers at this station are instructed that in the future no distilled or malt liquors are to be brought to this station"

1932, Los Angeles Times published a story, “The lighthouse also survived a brush with a battleship years ago. The battleship struck the rocks directly below. Jim Gibbs (Lighthouses of the Pacific, p. 43) says it was this incident that probably inspired these lines by Don Newman entitled Check your Bearings :

First voice: Our radar has you on a collision course with us. You should alter course 10 degrees south.

Second voice: We have you on our radar. Suggest you alter course 10 degrees north.

First voice: Admiral Goodman aboard. Strongly suggest you bear 10 degrees south, this is a battleship!

Second voice: This is Seaman Farnsworth. Still suggest you bear 10 degrees north. This is a lighthouse!”

1933,March 10, The lighthouse is jolted by an earthquake; the keeper reported that the lighthouse shook for 20 seconds and that the mercury slopped out of the pool used to float the lens. The lighthouse has been at a slight tilt ever since its early years, when a 5 day severe gale hammered tremendous breaking waves against the lighthouse. the lighthouse leaned toward the shore, but stood steadfastly against the violent storm, it was left with a tilt. Lighthouse workers complained about uneven walking plain, they dropped a plumb line from the lantern to the ground, which confirmed their complaints. The tower continued to be strong and steady, in spite of the tilt. Later on the a green translucent cover was placed over the lens due to the distracting lights of the encroaching suburbia. Its the only green flashing light in a major lighthouse in California.

1939 United States Coast Guard took over management.

The Navy again came into the history of Los Angeles Harbor Light during World War II. New construction added a degaussing station, a radio direction finding calibration unit and a barracks for the Navy personnel who worked this equipment

1959 The 2 tone fog horn “moaning Maggie” is replaced by a single tone horn known as “Blatting Betty” Repairs Ordered to stop tilt of upper levels.

1973 Feb 1, The Station is Automated and the last of the lightkeepers departed.


1980's, storms battered the lighthouse and severed the electric cable to the lighthouse, rather than repair diesal generator was used to power the lights, fog signal and radio beacon.

1987 Sept, Lens is removed from the tower, the lighthouse is 1st to use solar power. A 30 lb plastic light replaces it. The fog signal range is shortened, the light now is only to reach 15nm.

1989 a new lens similar to the original is placed in the tower. The intensity of the light was increased because of complaints from boat owners. The green flashing light is once again a sentinel on the Californian coast

1990 Feb, Lens is donated Los Angeles Maritime Museum

2009 July, The Harbor Board of Commissioners formally approved lighthouse funding.

2010 La times report that 1.8 million set aside for the restoration of the light

Links

United States Coast Guard
San Pedro
National Park Service
Wikipedia Angels Gate Light
La Times

References

1. Umbrella Guide to California Lighthouses, Sharlene and Ted Nelson, 1993.
2. Lighthouses of the Pacific, Jim Gibbs, 1986.

Keywords: Angels Gate Lighthouse, Lighthouse, lighthouse pictures, Los Angeles, California, directions, location, photographs, Journal, history, LighthousesOfCalifornia, Sean O’Cairde





Content is copyright by Ocairdestudio 2011

Point Fermin

Location: Point Fermin Lighthouse Historic Site and Museum

807 W. Paseo Del Mar
San Pedro, CA 90731
(310) 241-0684


Directions: From downtown Los Angeles, take Interstate 110 south to the end. From 110, follow Gaffey St. Due south to the end. Turn left on W Paseo Del Mar. The lighthouse is in the park at the end of Gaffey

Coordinates: 33°42′19″N 118°17′37″W33.7054°N 118.2937°W
Year first lit: 1874
Active: No
Deactivated: 1942
Automated: No
Keepers dwelling: The house is Stick Style, is 2 stories in height, with 12 rooms that included gabled roofs, horizontal siding, decorative cross beams and hand carved porch railings, is painted white, with a red roof, while the tower rises from the front 50 feet.
Foundation: Brick
Construction: Wood Frame, Stick Style Victorian lighthouse,
Other Structures: 3 cisterns, concrete oil house, barn
Tower shape: Square Cylindrical, Italianate tower on Italianate dwelling’
Tower Height: 30ft
Focal plane: 156 ft
Original lens: 4th Order Fresnel lens, dome of lantern painted red
Range: 19 miles
Current lens:
Fog Signal:
Characteristic: Alternate red/white Flashes at intervals of 10s
Admiralty:
ARLHS: USA-621
USCG number: 6-0140
Owner: city of los Angeles/Point Fermin lighthouse committee
Site manager:

Journal


This was a short road trip from Point Vincente to Point Fermin. As we drove I could see the lighthouse from the road as it was perched on a cliff facing the sea. Jean stopped the SUV and I got out to take a few pictures from the distance. We were in a park area, and it was built up with homes, not as isolated as I would expect a lighthouse to be. With Urban sprawl, what can you expect? I got back in the vehicle and we continued our journey to the lighthouse.

We parked in a public parking lot and walked across the park to the lighthouse. A lot of people were picnicking at the time. Quite a number of children where frolicking in the park, joggers ran with iPods plugged to their head, dogs strolled along the walkways with their masters and the afternoon sun toasted the bodies of sun worshipers as they laid sprawled upon the green carpet of nature. Bushy trees lined the walkways, providing shelter for those who wanted to avoid the rays of the sun. It was still the time of the year where the lawns of the park displayed a strong hue and saturation of green, mottled by the bright colors of flowers in full bloom.


We came upon the lighthouse, it exhibited the characteristic of a quaint Victorian building, it was like a gingerbread house; Surrounded by a white picket fence, and a garden with neatly trimmed hedges that reminded me of the gardens in the South of England. Most of the flowers in the garden where blooming, it was certainly picturesque. I introduced myself to the docents in the museum, a charming group of people. I picked up a few souvenirs before embarking on a tour of the lighthouse. I find it amazing what people will do to preserve our heritage. The docents gave up their free time to enrich the visitor with tours and the history of the lighthouse; I for one appreciate their service to the lighthouses and the public.

The lighthouse was restored with relics and furniture from the period the lighthouse was built. What was sad that they do not allow any photographs of the interior of the lighthouse? The lighthouse did not have anything unique or any exhibits that other lighthouses did not have. I could not understand the rational of no photographs. I made the tour from room to room, making note of the similarities I had seen in other lighthouses. I wondered what my brother Eddie would say about the hand carved woodwork, he was always fascinated by the intrigued by wood work of the yesteryear.


I climbed all the way to the lantern room and looked out at the sea this light had dominion over. The view was epic, I could see all the way to the Channel Islands, and in the distance Point Vincente. I was also able to see Los Angeles Harbor light.

A yr later I made the return trip with my brother Eddie. He was impressed by its appearance and hand craftsmanship of woodworkers of yesteryear. His comment was that these artisans made thing to last. Surely he was right, the house was in good condition after 137 years standing against the elements of the sea, today we are lucky if can get any kind of structure to last 50 years.



I was not too concerned taking images here as I was already contented with my earlier pictures. What was interesting, I met some of the docents who had direct connection with the lightkeepers/ Marta Austin was a niece of Thelma Austen, and was very talkative about her connection. She related the story how her grandmother died from hemorrhaging and how her grandfather died of a broken heart 2 months later. She was also proud of her photographs from that period of time. Another docent was the son of the last lightkeeper Jimenez. He had lived in the house for 22 years. All the docents were dressed in costumes from the period the lighthouse was first built. It all made for a pleasant afternoon. Next onto Angel’s gate.

History
1793: The area was given its name by the British explorer George Vancouver, to honor Father Fermin Francisco de Lasuen for his hospitality shown to Vancouver at the Carmel mission.

1840’s: The harbor at San Pedro, which is overlooked by Point Fermin, started to boom. Los Angeles was growing and the railroad was extending its reach to San Pedro bay
1854: local businessmen, petitioned the Federal Government and the US lighthouse Board to place a lighthouse on the point. Lighthouse board approved funding, but disputes over land delayed
construction. 
1869: Southern California’s 1st railroad was built, 21 mile stretch of track connecting Los Angeles with the bay.
1872: Point Fermin is selected for a lighthouse it is a site,a bold cliff on the western side 100 ft high overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Don Diego Sepulveda donated 2 acres to the government; he was offered $35 as payment for the land which he declined.


1874 Dec 15th, shone its light for the 1st time. The oil lantern with its 4th order Fresnel lens display its majestic light to the West coast, a new sentinel added. Paul J Petz, draftsman for USLHB designed the stick style Victorian Building, It is characterized by its gabled roofs, horizontal siding, decorative cross beams and hand carved proch railings. Miss Mary & Ella Smith were the 1st Lightkeeper. Mary Smith lit the lamp and wound the weights that rotated the lens for the 1st time. The lighthouse was built with lumber from the Californian redwoods brought in by ship and hauled by wagons to the sage covered bluff.The planned fog signal was never built.



1882: Mary and her sister resign, life was too lonely on the promontory. Captain George Shaw was hired as the new lighthouse keeper. He was a retired sea captain; he had a wife and a daughter, The daughter was born at the lighthouse.


1884: lighthouse keepers where required to wear the US Lighthouse Service uniform.

1896: LightKeepers were put on the Civil Service roster.


1898: a petroleum vapor incandescent lamp was installed. Light changed from flashing red/white to a steady white

1901: Shaw is the only resident of the lighthouse, his wife had died and his 15yr old daughter left for school in San francisco.

1904: Shaw retires and Irby Engels takes over with his wife and daughter

1917: Willie Austin, the new lightkeeper, jointly with his spouse and 6 offspring, move into Point Fermin lighthouse. Austin's was to be the last keepers of Point Fermin

1925: 6,600 candlepower electric light which projected a beam 22 miles out to sea was installed. Thelma Austin takes over from her father; she is the last lightkeeper of Point Fermin. Thelma lost her mother to an operation and 2 months later her father to a broken heart.Thelma with the help of her sister Juanita took over the lighthouse duties They felt they had a sacred duty to their parents.


1927: Point Fermin’s importance diminished with the establishment of Angel’s gate lighthouse. Los Angeles Park Department made a contract with the Lighthouse Service, allowing a park superintendent to live in the lighthouse in barter for looking after the light.


1941 Dec 9th: 2 days after Pearl Harbor attack all coastal lights were extinguished or dimmed as protection against Japanese attacks. The station was converted into a submarine lookout post.The lens lantern and gallery were replaced by an ugly lookout shack (chicken coop) which remained for the next 30 years. After the war the lighthouse was replaced by a light on a pole.


1942: Deactivated

1972: June, The lighthouse was added to the National Register of Historic Places. The coast guard had considered razing this structure. Bill Olesen and john Olguin led a campaign to save the lighthouse.


1974: Nov 2, new lantern and gallery were built by volunteers, restoring it to its original charm just in time for a centennial celebration


2002: the lighthouse receives major restoration; $2.6 million is invested in the makeover of Point Fermin

2003:Nov 1 the Department of Recreation and Parks opened the lighthouse to the public.

2004: the makeover is completed; the lighthouse had been repainted, new plumbing, electrical work, alarm systems, air conditioning, and furnishings dating back to the late 1800’s


2005: the lighthouse celebrated its 130th birthday.


2006: Dec 16th a homecoming for the lens. Olesen and Olguin located the Fresnel lens removed from the Point Fermin Lighthouse at the outbreak of World War II.

2011: June 7, Point Fermin is one of 12 historic lighthouses made available by the GSA to public organizations at no cost if they are willing to preserve them.

This picture perfect lighthouse is located on a 37 acre scenic park, landscaped with colorful gardens, tree shaded lawns and a promenade, which provides panoramic views of the Channel Islands and the surrounding coast. It is the perfect location for picnics and leisurely strolls, its friendly to children and animals. The lighthouse fits pleasantly into the scene as it is snugly placed amidst a group of large palm trees

Links
Wikipedia
Point Fermin
United States Coast Guard
San Pedro
National Park Service

References


1. "Umbrella Guide to California Lighthouses", Sharlene and Ted Nelson, 1993.
2. "Point Fermin Lighthouse," Lenore Nicholson, The Keeper's Log, Winter 1987.
3. "Light Wait," Megan Bagdonas, Daily Breeze, December 2, 2006
4. "Field Guide to Lighthouses of the Pacific Coast", Elinor De Wire,Voyeur Press, 2006.
5. "California Lighthouses in the 1920'2 and 1930's",Wayne C Wheeler,Arcadia Publishing, 2006






Keywords: Point Fermin Lighthouse, Lighthouse, lighthouse pictures, Los Angeles, California, directions, location, photographs, Journal, history, San Diego, LighthousesOfCalifornia, Sean O’Cairde
 
Content is copyright by Ocairdestudio 2011