Anacapa Island Light Station: Cultural Landscape Inventory, Channel Islands National Park, National Park Service

National Park Service

The Anacapa Island Light Station is an approximately 77.48‑acre historic site located on East Anacapa Island within the boundaries of Channel Islands National Park, California. The 700‑acre Anacapa Island, located thirteen miles from Port Hueneme on the California coast, is less than one‑half mile wide and approximately five miles long. Ocean waves have eroded the perimeter of the island, creating steep sea cliffs towering up to 250 feet above the ocean. The island is composed of three small islets, East Anacapa, Middle Anacapa and West Anacapa Islands, connected by narrow reefs. Only East Anacapa Island is discussed in this report. The period of significance for the Anacapa Island Light Station is 1932 to 1968, which includes the initial development of the light station complex until the light beacon and fog‑signal were transferred to automated use, effectively ending a way of the life unique to Light Keeper’s and their families. Interest in constructing a lighthouse on the Channel Islands dates back to 1853 when the sidewheeler Winfield Scott struck a rocky sea ledge and sank. It was not until 1874 when the Lighthouse Board decided to build an economy lighthouse at Port Hueneme rather than a more costly island beacon. Eventually, a temporary acetylene light was constructed on East Anacapa Island. A permanent light station was established on the island to mark the strategic east entrance of the Santa Barbara Channel in 1932. The station included the Mission Revival lighthouse tower, fog signal building, four residences, landing facilities, tank house, oil house and power house, as well as a rainshed, roads and walkways. The original acetylene light was removed during the construction of the light station. While three of the residences, the lower derrick building, the lower derrick and paint storage building were torn down in 1967, no modern buildings have been added to the original historic design of the light station. As a result, the district retains integrity and the structures are in good condition. Those landscape characteristics associated with the significance of the site include: natural systems and features, land use, circulation, buildings and structures, views and vistas and small scale features. The natural systems and features of East Anacapa Island determined the location of the light station and associated development on East Anacapa Island. While the lack of potable water deterred early sustained inhabitation of the island, the high flat promontory on East Anacapa Island and the general location at the east entrance to Santa Barbara Channel provided an ideal location for the lighthouse. The lighthouse and fog signal building were located on the eastern‑most end of the island, providing unobstructed views of the light from passing vessels. The four keeper’s residences and other functional buildings were located inland, proving some protection from the harsh oceanic elements. All nine remaining buildings and structures still retain their Mission Revival character that was regionally popular at the time of construction. Any changes made to automate the lighthouse tower and fog‑signal building were minor and did not affect the integrity of the landscape, and the Anacapa Island Light Station still serves as a functioning navigational aid, and as such, land use and views and vistas remain contributing characteristics to the landscape. Roads, originally used during the period of significance between the derrick and residential area, and the residential area and service structures, are still used as pedestrian circulation routes. Small scale features, including the flag pole and memorial concrete plaques, are also extant.

Anacapa Island Light Station: Cultural Landscape Inventory, Channel Islands National Park, National Park Service

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