In 1874, Point Fermin was established. A battle between the railroads was about to ensue. The Southern Pacific railroad had purchased the right of way to connect Los Angeles with Wilmington. In 1874, a rival railroad purchased land to connect Los Angeles with Santa Monica. The new wharf at Santa Monica started to take trade away from Wilmington and San Pedro Bay. By 1875, the Southern Pacific completed its transcontinental run to Los Angeles. To protect its position, it increased its run from Wilmington to the town of San Pedro. It then purchased and closed the rival railway. Planning for a breakwater in San Pedro bay soon began.

Things were still not settled for the Los Angeles Harbor. When Colis P. Huntington became president of the Southern Pacific Railway, he favored Santa Monica as the major seaport. He reestablished the rail service and reopened the port. Between 1891 and 1897, Congress appointed three commissions to investigate the best location for a deep water port. Each commission recommended San Pedro over any other port. Each time, Huntington used his influence to block the decision. In spite of his efforts, Congress eventually authorized the funding to build a breakwater in San Pedro Bay.

The breakwater was finished in 1910 and three years later the light was completed. It was built around 12 steel columns. The base is an octagon, sheathed with steel. The ten sided second story and cylindrical top three stories were covered in cement. Each of the twelve columns were painted black to contrast with the rest of the building. Its Romanesque style was unlike any other lighthouse on the entire Pacific coast.

The light was lit for the first time March 1, 1913. A fourth order fresnel lens was used. The oil incandescent vapor lamp flashed every 15 seconds. Its two compressed air sirens used gas engines. Fuel for the light and sirens was brought to the light via a tender.

Storms often isolated the keepers from the near by town. Waves thirty-five feet tall were reported crashing into the side of the little tower. On March 10, 1933 the strength of the tower was tested again when an earthquake shook Long Beach. One hundred and fifteen lives were lost and hundreds were injured as building tumbled. Several years later, the tower was shook and just missed being knocked off of its foundations by a passing Navy Battleship. For years it was labeled confidential in the Navy's files.

The light was automated in 1973. It was powered by solar generated batteries. LA Harbor became the first lighthouse on the West Coast to be powered by the sun. The original 300 pound fresnel lens was removed and replaced by a 30 pound plastic lens. The new lens reduced the distance the light could be seen from and boat owners objected. By 1989, a new lens, similar to the original was placed in the tower. Generators were used to power up the new light and visibility restored. Today a green light, symbolic of Los Angeles Harbor shines in the little Romanesque tower. The original Fresnel lens is displayed in San Pedro's Los Angeles Maritime Museum.

©westofpch.com - All rights reserved.