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Piedras Blancas Light Station

15950 CA-1, Ragged Point, CA 93452, USA

Name and Location

The Piedras Blancas Light Station is located at the intersection of Highway 1 and Ragged Point Road in San Luis Obispo County, California.

Construction and History

The Piedras Blancas Light Station was built in 1875 by the United States Lighthouse Service to guide mariners through treacherous coastal waters. It has played a crucial role in maritime safety for over 140 years and is recognized for its cultural significance, with listings on the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) and as a California Historical Landmark.

Architecture and Materials

The Piedras Blancas Light Station is a rare example of a duplex lighthouse, with two identical structures connected by a common wall. The buildings are constructed from brick and mortar, with a distinctive red color that has faded over time. Each tower stands at 43 feet (13 meters) tall.

Light and Navigation

The lighthouse features a white light characteristic, flashing every 15 seconds, with a range of approximately 21 miles (33 kilometers). The light is maintained by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), which also operates the adjacent Piedras Blancas National Monument.

Accessibility and Visiting

Today, the Piedras Blancas Light Station is no longer an active aid to navigation, having been automated in 1975. Visitors can access the lighthouse grounds via Highway 1, just north of Ragged Point. The BLM operates the site as a museum and interpretive center, offering guided tours and educational programs.

Notable Views and Landscape

The Piedras Blancas Light Station offers stunning views of the surrounding coastline and ocean.

Anecdotes and Folklore

N/A

Technical and Operational Details

The lighthouse features a white light characteristic, flashing every 15 seconds, with a range of approximately 21 miles (33 kilometers). The light is maintained by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), which also operates the adjacent Piedras Blancas National Monument.

Further Information

  • * United States Coast Guard: www.uscg.mil
  • * Bureau of Land Management: www.blm.gov/ca/st/en/fo/bakersfield/Programs/pbls.html

The Piedras Blancas Light Station has a dedicated page on Wikipedia: en:Piedras Blancas Light Station

Details

NamePiedras Blancas Light Station
CitySan Luis Obispo County
CountryUnited States
Coordinates35.6656367, -121.2843586
Websitehttps://www.blm.gov/ca/st/en/fo/bakersfield/Programs/pbls.html
Year of construction1875
Architectural stylebrick and mortar duplex lighthouse
ArchitectUnited States Lighthouse Service
Construction materialbrick and mortar
Tower height43
Access descriptionlocated at the intersection of Highway 1 and Ragged Point Road, accessible via Highway 1
Accessibletrue
Landscape typerocky coast
Guided tourstrue
Facilitiestoilets, gift shop
Opening hoursTours available during operating hours
AIS Radarfalse
Light characteristicwhite light, flashing every 15 seconds
Light range21
Automatedtrue