Point Hueneme Lighthouse

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About The Site

Point Hueneme sketch

The City of Port Hueneme (pronounced "Wy-Nee-Mee") is approximately fifty miles north of Los Angeles. In 1874 a lighthouse was established to guide shipping through the Santa Barbara Channel which runs between the California coast and the Channel Islands.

The ornate two-story Victorian was identical to the light at Point Fermin, and both lights were first lit on December 15, 1874. The light flashed white until 1889, when the signal was changed to fixed red. In 1892, the light displayed an occulting white signal. A new lens installed in 1899 displayed flashing white.

The early Point Hueneme keepers record was mediocre at best. Head Keeper Samuel Ensign and assistant keeper Korts were dismissed in 1878 for failing to maintain the station grounds (although the light was kept in good order). The first assistant keeper, Melvin Giles, was twice caught sleeping on his watch - but nevertheless was later promoted to head keeper at Pigeon Point.

Walter White served at Point Hueneme from 1927 to 1948. He was witness to many changes at the site. In 1940, the Port of Hueneme was completed. In 1942, the US Navy purchased Hueneme Harbor and established the US Construction Battalion Center - "Home of the Seebees." (Moranda, pp. 2)

Keeper White also oversaw the replacement of the original lighthouse with a new concrete Art Moderne structure which began service in 1941. The old building, sans lantern room, was barged across the harbor, for use by a local yacht club. Sadly, the building was left neglected and eventually torn down.

The new 48 foot tower is still active and maintained by the Coast Guard. The light is on the grounds of the Port of Hueneme. In recent years, the Coast Guard has refurbished the building, and there are plans to make the site part of an Aquaculture center, complete with interpretive facility and Coast Guard maritime museum. A public access path along the shore to the light already exists and is being further developed.

While there are plans for greater public access to the light, the light is still firmly in the hands of the Coast Guard. According to Will Berg, Port Hueneme Marketing and Public Relations Director, only the Coast Guard has keys to the building. The light itself is normally off-limits, but the organizers of the Port Hueneme Harbor Days Festival are working with the Coast Guard to secure access to the light during the festival.

References (see links)

Umbrella Guide to California Lighthouses (2nd ed.), Nelson pp. 30-34
California Lighthouses, Roberts and Jones p. 71
The City of Port Huemene History, Moranda p. 2
Point Hueneme Lighthouse, Snider p. 5
Lighthouse Digest November 2005

Select an image to enlarge

From the Beach

Chamber of Commerce

Lantern Room

Directions: To get to the vicinity of the lighthouse, take Highway 1 (fifty miles north of Los Angeles) to Port Hueneme Road. Go west on Port Hueneme Road. The lighthouse is on the grounds of the Port of Hueneme (which is at the end of the road). The light is easily visible from Port Hueneme Beach Park. To get to the beach, turn left from Port Hueneme Road to Ventura Road. (There is a sign for the beach at the intersection.) The beach is at the end of the road. You can walk wet along a path from the beach all the way to the lighthouse. You can get a clear view of the lighthouse, although the building itself is fenced off as part of the port.

The lighthouse was opened to the public in July 2002. As of July 2003, the lighthouse is open from 10AM to 3PM every third Saturday of the month. (The last shuttle to the lighthouse from the port entrance at Port Hueneme Road leaves at 2:30PM.) (Note: the lighthouse will be closed December 2007 until February 2008 due to display changes.)

The Port Hueneme Chamber of Commerce and Historical Museum has displays on the history of the lighthouse. It is located at the intersection of Port Hueneme Road and Market Street (across from the port entrance). Call (805) 488-2023 for more information.

For more information on Port Hueneme Harbor Days, see the links page.

Thanks to Will Berg of the Port of Hueneme and Arlene Fraser of the Port Hueneme Chamber of Commerce for providing us access to the port and an opportunity to photograph the light (in spite of the weather!). (December 2007)