Guard Island Light Station: Only Yesterday

In 1867, the United States acquired the territory of Alaska for $7,200,000 (about 2 cents an acre) - a huge bargain. Two years after the acquisition, the Senate called for a review of the safety of the Pacific Northwest coasts, requiring the President to, "... detail an office to select from public lands such prominent points on the coasts of Oregon, Washington Territory, and Alaska...in his judgment may be necessary for lighthouse purposes, in view of the future commercial necessity of the Pacific coasts and to reserve the same for the exclusive use of the United States."