Hidden damage exposed
As summer turns to fall, crews are working on the hardest part of the Pigeon Point restoration: the upper tower, where the worst damage is. This area includes the outer galleries and railings, the supporting brackets, and the upper belt course. Pieces of the original belt course fell from this level, which is why the building was closed.
When the old, rusted cast iron brackets and damaged brickwork came off, crews found more corrosion in two metal support beams. These 17-foot beams carry the weight of the watch room, the lantern room, and the Fresnel lens, so replacing them is both critical and complicated. With so much weight above and so little room to work, the contractor is taking extensive precautions to keep the crew safe.
The ICC-Commonwealth crew hoisted the new beams by crane, one at a time, to the lower collar scaffold and maneuvered each into place. The beam ends will be set in concrete, and the beams will be bolted to the floor of the watch room.
Next, crews will mount a series of angle anchors around the outside of the watch room drum to secure the lower gallery deck plates. Then they will install new marine-grade stainless steel brackets and galleries. Each of the 16 brackets weighs over 300 pounds and must be maneuvered into place by hand once it is lifted to the collar scaffold. Decorative fascia panels between the brackets will finish this part of the work. This complex process is expected to take several weeks, likely through the end of the year.
Other work remains. Inside the tower, crews must refurbish the Fresnel lens and its pedestal before the lens returns to the lantern room. The building’s exterior will be recoated, and the landscaping restored. A small museum will also be added to the workroom at the base of the tower. We expect the project to be complete by spring 2027.
On Saturday, November 14, 2026, we will celebrate the lighthouse’s 154th anniversary. Maritime author and historian JoAnn Semones will sign copies of her latest book, Pigeon Point Lighthouse: Gold Rush to Restoration. All proceeds go directly to the Coastside State Parks Association. To order online, visit: https://square.link/u/FvBDzS3S
— Julie Barrow, Special Projects Coordinator
