Cape Decision

Cape Decision lighthouse, the last one built in Alaska, arose from growing ship traffic and larger vessels serving a booming Southeast Alaska economy of salmon canneries, herring salteries, and whale oil reduction plants. Because large ships could not pass through Wrangell Narrows as smaller ships had, they detoured around the outside of Kupreanof Island, where near Cape Decision they faced fog and heavier marine traffic. Built on Kuiu Island near the south end of Baranof Island, the lighthouse marked the entrance to Chatham Strait. First lighted on March 15, 1932, it still stands as a two-story reinforced concrete building with a light tower above, containing machinery and living quarters for three keepers. Its original third order Fresnel lens is now at the Clausen Museum in Petersburg, and the Cape Decision Lighthouse Society manages the site.

Juneau, Alaska · United States