Spanish explorers and later New England hide and tallow traders found the Big Sur coastline a great hazard. Heavy fogs and extreme winds found caused the wreck of many vessels on this coast. The Gold Rush of 1849 dramatically increased coastal shipping. A light house was clearly needed. President Andrew Johnson signed the executive order which reserved the site for lighthouse purposes in 1866. Construction began in 1887 and the lamp was lit on August 1, 1889.

California registered historic landmark No. 951

Plaque placed by the state Department of Parks and Recreation in cooperation with the Central Coast Lighthouse Keepers.
September 28, 1994

The property has been placed on the
National Register of Historic Places
by the United States Department of the Interior