Point Sur, a rocky point connected to the mainland by a sand spit and known geologically as a tombolo, offered a prominent site for a lighthouse and fog signal to warn ships of the hazardous coastline and serve as a navigational aid. Its steep rock made access difficult when construction began in 1885, so builders used a steam engine to hoist cut stone and lumber up on railcars. After the light station was completed in 1889, residents could reach it only by a 395-step staircase. Most dry goods arrived by sea on lighthouse tenders, which three times a year anchored off the south side of Point Sur with food, coal, kerosene, wicks, and livestock feed. Supplies were moved from small skiffs in cargo nets to a loading platform at the base of the rock, then hauled up the cliff on cable-drawn railcars, while another rail system on the east face lifted goods brought by wagon.