Visit Point Fermin Lighthouse While Summer Flowers Are In Bloom
Summer is here and flowers are in bloom at the Point Fermin Lighthouse Historic Site and Museum. This is a great time to view one of Palos Verdes Peninsula’s interesting architectural structures located in San Pedro. Built in 1874, the Point Fermin Lighthouse was the first navigational source of light in the San Pedro Bay. It is considered to be one of the oldest lighthouses on the West Coast. Phineas Banning had petitioned the Federal Government along with several businessmen in 1854 to place a lighthouse on the Point. After 20 years, it was finally built in the Stick Victorian Style which is a simpler design than the later Victorian period. The lighthouse did not have a fog-signalling apparatus and was a one-keeper station until 1941 when all coastal lights were extinguished as protection against army attacks. It served as an aid to safe passage between the Channel Islands and the Harbor. After the war, the light remained off and the structure fell into disrepair. However, in 1974, with the help of many volunteers the building was brought back to its original charm for its centennial celebration.
The Point Fermin Lighthouse is open Tuesday through Sunday from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. and closed on Mondays. Guided tours are offered at 1:00, 2:00 and 3:00 p.m. The admission is free, however, a donation is requested from visitors. Children under 18 must be accompanied by an adult, and no child under 40 inches tall will be admitted to the tower. The lighthouse may be closed on major holidays and for special events in the Park. You can call ahead for that schedule at (310) 241-0684.
The Point Fermin Lighthouse and Museum is located at 807 W. Paseo Del Mar, San Pedro.
To view my previous article on Point Fermin Lighthouse Historic Site and Museum click here.
Photo courtesy of Point Fermin Lighthouse
