Saint George Reef Lighthouse

About

Saint George Reef Lighthouse

St. George Reef Light marks a hazardous line of rock outcrops that extend northwest from Crescent City to form Saint George Reef. The light was abandoned in 1975 and replaced with a navigational buoy to the west of its current location.

History:

In 1865, the side-wheeler Brother Jonathan was lost at the reef with loss of 215 lives, making the case for a lighthouse to be built. The lighthouse, with its remote island location, is the most costly U.S. lighthouse ever built (the 1892 cost was $700,000, which today adjusts for inflation right at about $14 million).

The lighthouse was deemed too costly and was abandoned in 1975. A buoy now serves to mark Saint Georges reef just west of the island.

Navigating in and Around the Lighthouse:

Use NOAA Chart 18603.

Characteristics: The light was abandoned in 1975, and flashing red whistle buoy “2SG” currently serves to mark the outer edge of Saint George Reef.

Local Notices to Mariners:

Local Notices to Mariners are available online from the U.S. Coast Guard.

Tour Schedule:

The lighthouse stands well offshore and is not easily accessible or viewable by the general public.