National Register #91001096
Yerba Buena Island Lighthouse
Yerba Buena Island
Built 1873

The Yerba Buena Island Lighthouse District covers twenty-seven acres containing three contributing buildings and one contributing structure.

The United States Coast Guard controls the southern half of Yerba Buena Island which, unfortunately, includes the Yerba Buena Island Lighthouse District. The lighthouse is operational, but unmanned, and the old keeper's residence is now quarters for a Coast Guard Admiral. Because the Admiral and his armed sentry will not welcome you even if you are an American taxpayer, the only way to view the lighthouse is from the water.

The tower and keeper's quarters, especially, serve as excellent examples of the late 19th century styles Stick-Eastlake and Victorian-Gothic, respectively.

When viewed together the buildings present an accurate portrayal of the design and construction of a late 19th century inner harbor lighthouse. There are no modern buildings in the complex to dilute the historical architectural representation.

Excerpted from the NRHP nomination dated 7 May 1990.

The top photograph shows the old and new eastern spans of the San Francisco Bay Bridge. The steel, double-towered cantilever is part of the original bridge completed in 1936.

In 1989, the Loma Prieta Earthquake damaged the eastern span resulting in a one month closure of the bridge for repairs. The entire eastern span is being replaced by a new span which is scheduled for completion in 2013. A portion of the new concrete causeway is visible in the photograph.

Points of interest on Yerba Buena Island and Treasure Island:

• Golden Gate International Exposition Administrative Building
• Golden Gate International Exposition Hall of Transportation
• Golden Gate International Exposition Palace of Fine and Decorative Arts
• Naval Training Station Quarters 1 (Nimitz House)
• Naval Training Station Quarters 10 and Building 267
• Naval Training Station Senior Officers Quarters Historic District
• Torpedo Storehouse
• Treasure Island
• Yerba Buena Island Lighthouse

Historic lighthouses on the west coast:

• Battery Point Lighthouse in Crescent City
• East Brother Light Station in Contra Costa County
• Fort Point Lighthouse in San Francisco
• Point Arena Light Station in Mendocino County
• Point Bonita Light Station in Marin County
• Point Cabrillo Light Station in Mendocino County
• Point Montara Light Station in San Mateo County
• Point Reyes Light Station in Marin County
• Pigeon Point Lighthouse in San Mateo County
• St. George Reef Light Station in Crescent City
• Yerba Buena Island Lighthouse in San Francisco