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Cape St. Elias Lighthouse

Helipad, Alaska, USA

Name and Location

The Cape St. Elias Lighthouse is located in Helipad, Alaska, USA. It stands tall on the southern coast of Alaska, surrounded by rugged terrain and scenic views.

Construction and History

Built in 1816, the Cape St. Elias Lighthouse is one of the oldest lighthouses in Alaska. It was constructed during the Russian-American Company's rule over Alaska to assist mariners navigating the treacherous waters around Cape St. Elias. The lighthouse has undergone several renovations and restorations over the years, including a major restoration in the 1970s.

Architecture and Materials

The Cape St. Elias Lighthouse stands at a height of 26 feet (7.9 meters) with a focal height of 14 feet (4.3 meters). It features a white tower with a characteristic Fl(3)W.15s light pattern, visible for a range of 14 miles (22.5 kilometers).

Light and Navigation

The lighthouse is powered by an electric motor and has been automated since the 1970s.

Accessibility and Visiting

Visitors can access the lighthouse, but it is not open to the general public. The lighthouse is located in a remote area and requires special permission or guided tours to visit. However, visitors can view the lighthouse from a distance and appreciate its historic significance.

Notable Views and Landscape

The surrounding landscape features rugged terrain and scenic views, with various wildlife such as bears, moose, and eagles inhabiting the area.

Anecdotes and Folklore

Technical and Operational Details

The lighthouse is operated by the U.S. Coast Guard and listed on the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) under reference number 75002157.

Further Information

For more information, visit the Wikipedia page for Cape St. Elias Light or consult the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP).

Details

NameCape St. Elias Lighthouse
City
CountryUsa
Coordinates59.7983787, -144.5987142
Websitehttps://www.capestelias.org/
Year of construction1816
Eventsadded to the National Register of Historic Places in 1975
Storiesaid to navigation since 1816; major restoration in the 1970s
Focal height4.3
Tower height7.9
Heritage statustrue
Renovations1970s
Accessiblefalse
Landscape typerocky coast
View descriptionrugged terrain and scenic views
Guided tourstrue
AIS Radarfalse
Light characteristic"Fl(3)W.15s"
Light range22.5
Automatedtrue