Point Reyes Lighthouse

J.C. Ryan, the late head keeper of the fog signal station at Point Reyes, tells a story which reflects but little credit on Captain U.N. Ludlow, the United States Lighthouse Inspector. Ryan held three positions as keeper. In July, 1883, he was at Ano Nuevo Lighthouse, in January, 1886, at Point Arena and in December, 1887, was appointed to the late office which he held till February 10 last.

The Point Reyes Light Station held a reputation for many years as one of the less desirable assignments on the west coast. A combination of wind, fog and darkness, the unrelenting fog signal, the immense set of stairs, not to mention isolation and poor wages, took a severe toll on the keepers and their assistants. Incidents of insanity, alcoholism, violence and insubordination plagued the station during its first half-century of operation. Not until modern conveniences arrived, such as better roads, transportation and electrical power, did the working conditions improve to any extent.

Point Reyes, historically named Punta de los Reyes, is an odd-shaped peninsula that protrudes into the Pacific Ocean about 35 miles northwest of San Francisco. The peninsula forms a triangle with Tomales Point on the north, Bolinas Point on the south, and the most prominent, Point Reyes, on the west. The peninsula is characterized by rolling hills covered by grass, brush or forest and surrounded by beaches.