Official Website of theSt. George Reef Lighthouse Preservation Society

FROM THE LANTERN ROOM

Welcome to the keepers of St. George Reef Lighthouse as we begin the second century of watches on the "Dragon Rocks". The keepers of the first watch, those who built the lighthouse and manned it under the U.S. Lighthouse Service and the Coast Guard, have left us a legacy of service which is part of the rich maritime heritage of our nation. We will never have to stand their watch, keeping the light burning through the freezing cold, monstrous waves, and mind-numbing loneliness. The duty for our watch is but to remember their service, be trustworthy custodians of this important lighthouse and in so doing to preserve the heritage of America's Greatest Lighthouse. Join us then, as we restore, preserve and interpret St. George Reef Lighthouse. May those of the "third watch" find our efforts as inspirational as those who have preceded us.

St. George Reef Lighthouse
(Images of America)

Paperback May 18, 2015 by
Guy Towers (Author) $21.99

Get your autograph copies of the book from St. George Reef Lighthouse Preservation Society
Write: Guy Towers/SGRLPS at
PO BOX 577, Crescent City, CA 95531
Tel:707-464-8299
All profits go to SGRLPS
Cost: $21.99 plus taxes/shipping

Most everywhere, except California, is $25.99 which includes the shipping charge of $4.00

All of California, except DelNorte County, is $27.63 which includes the shipping charge of $4.00 and CA Sales tax of $1.63

DelNorte County – only - is $27.64 which includes the shipping charge of $4.00 and CA Sales tax of $1.64

Series: Images of America Paperback: 128 pages Publisher: Arcadia Publishing (May 18, 2015) Language: English ISBN-10: 1467133175 ISBN-13: 978-1467133173 Product Dimensions: 6.5 x 0.3 x 9.2 inches

St. George Reef Lighthouse

St. George Reef Lighthouse is Situated at the end of a reef six miles offshore of Crescent City, California, stands St. George Reef Lighthouse. Constructed after the wreck of the coastal steamer Brother Jonathan in 1865, the beacon warned mariners of the dreaded Dragon Rocks of St. George Reef for nearly a century. This book chronicles the loss of the Jonathan, decades of efforts to make the light a reality, the 10-year construction period, manning of the station by keepers of the US Lighthouse Service and Coast Guard, and the struggles and accomplishments of dedicated volunteers to restore what many lighthouse historians refer to as Americas greatest lighthouse.

Guy Towers and his wife, Alice, founded the St. George Reef Lighthouse Preservation Society in 1986, and Guy has been president of the nonprofit group since. He has compiled extensive historical records that include material from the National Archives and personal interviews with keepers. He coordinates and oversees restoration activities of volunteers, who were first able to access the site by helicopter in 1996. Guy also acts as a docent for visitors whose paid tours are the group’s chief source of revenue.

Brief History

St. George Reef Lighthouse, located six miles off the coast near Crescent City California was built as the result of the sinking of the coastal steamer Brother Jonathan in July, 1865 which took the lives of hundreds of people. Constructed between 1881-1891 it is composed of massive slabs of granite cut on Humboldt Bay, 60 miles south, and transported to the small, exposed rocks at the western end of St. George Reef or the “Dragon Rocks”.

Rising nearly sixteen stories above the sea, it was crowned with a giant first order lens which exhibited first light the night if October 20, 1891. First manned by keepers of the U.S. Service (1891-1939) and then by the Coast Guard (1939-1975) it was considered to be the most dangerous station in the service; 5 keepers lost their lives while on duty there.

Left to the elements for many years, the Fresnel lens was removed in 1983 by the Del Norte County Historical Society and placed in a museum in Crescent City, and then in 1986 the St. George Reef Lighthouse Preservation Society was formed, ultimately flying restoration crews out by helicopter and offering tours of the facility.

Contributions - Donations Needed

Immense gains have been made in the rehabilitation of St. George: a new light now serves as an official aid to navigation, shining from a completely restored lantern room; all utilities are functioning; new replica handrails provide safety on the lantern room and caisson perimeters; keeper’s rooms are being repainted returning the structure to its appearance when manned, 1891-1975.Please join the effort to keep the light burning!
A returning contribution of any size is welcome and may be sent to SGRLPS - P.O. Box 577, Crescent City C.A. 95531.
For more information call Tel: 707-464-8299 0r Email: SGRLPS@stgeorgereeflighthouse.us

WANTED ANY PHOTOS and/or FILMS

Attention past lighthouse keepers or family and friends of even visitors from the late 1800's to mid-1975. We need your help on putting together the past of this lighthouse. If you have anything that can help us please go to our "Contact" page and E-mail or call the person given in the Wanted Photo's or Film's section.

Thanks for your help on this project.
Bill Odonnell - Video Grapher, Web Master, and Research Asst.

CALL: 707-442-7873
E-mail: billjr@odonnell.ws
Bill Odonnell - PO BOX 771, Bayside, CA 95524

St. George Reef Lighthouse Pictures

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Last updated March 25, 2020 Latest Weather for Crescent City, CA

Keeping the Watch