Historic Light Station Information

& Photography

MARY ISLAND LIGHT - ALASKA

MARY ISLAND LIGHTSTATION'S 1937 TOWER

Location: MARY ISLAND/REVILLAGIGEDO CHANNEL

Station Established: 1903

Year Current Tower(s) First Lit: 1937

Operational? YES

Automated? YES 1969

Deactivated: n/a

Foundation Materials: CONCRETE

Construction Materials: REINFORCED CONCRETE

Tower Shape: SQUARE

Markings/Pattern: WHITE ART DECO

Relationship to Other Structure: ATTACHED

Original Lens: FOURTH ORDER, FRESNEL 1903

Historical Information:

• Congress appropriated funds for a lighthouse and construction began in May of 1902.The light was first lit on July 15, 1903 with a fourth order Fresnel lens.
  

• In 1926 a new illuminating apparatus was installed increasing the lights power.
  

• In 1931 a third class radio beacon was installed in the station.
  

• In the late 1930 it was determined a new light would have to be constructed. A new tower of reinforced concrete was constructed at a cost of $54,792 and became active in 1937.
  

• In 1969 the light was automated and reclassified as a minor light. The radio beacon was discontinued at the same time.
  

• Current lens is 250 MM optic. Date of installation is not note
  

MARY ISLAND LIGHTSTATION'S 1903 TOWER

MARY ISLAND LIGHTSTATION MAY 1956