Point Sur Lighthouse was established in 1889 atop a volcanic rock on California’s Big Sur coast, where dangerous waters and growing shipping traffic had caused repeated wrecks since at least the Gold Rush era. Built on an extremely narrow summit after major engineering work, the station first displayed its light on August 1, 1889, using a first-order Fresnel lens to guide mariners. Over time it also employed evolving fog signals and light sources as technology changed. For decades the isolated station functioned as a small self-contained community for keepers and their families. Still an active aid to navigation, it later became a state historic park property and recognized historic site.