Cape Decision Light

Cape Decision is a lighthouse located on Kuiu Island adjacent to Sumner Strait in Southeast Alaska.

Cape Decision Light
LocationSouthwestern extremity of Kuiu Island, Alaska
Coordinates56°00′05″N 134°08′09″W
Tower
FoundationRock
ConstructionConcrete
Automated1974
Height75 feet (23 m)
Shapesquare tower on building
HeritageNational Register of Historic Places listed place Edit this on Wikidata
Light
First lit1932
Focal height23 m (75 ft) Edit this on Wikidata
LensThird order Fresnel lens (original), Solar powered aero beacon (current)
Range18 nautical miles (33 km; 21 mi)
Characteristicflashing White 5s, Obscured from 134° to 245°. Emergency light (Fl W 5s) of reduced intensity if main light is extinguished.
Cape Decision Light Station
Alaska Heritage Resources Survey
Nearest cityEdna Bay
Arealess than one acre
ArchitectU.S. Lighthouse Service
Architectural styleModerne
MPSLight Stations of the United States MPS
NRHP reference No.04001568[1]
AHRS No.XPA-00012
Significant dates
Added to NRHPFebruary 2, 2005
Designated AHRS[date]

History

The first attempt to light these waters was an acetylene lantern placed on the Spanish Islands, just off the southern end of Kuiu Island. The lantern was proved ineffective and consequently Congress appropriated $59,400 in 1929 for a lighthouse and construction began in September of that year. However, weather and inadequate funds delayed the completion of the station until it finally became active in March 1932. The total cost ended up in excess of $150,000. The lighthouse became automated in 1974 and in 1989 fire damaged the tram, dock, boathouse, hoist house, paint shed, and helipad. The original third order Fresnel lens was replaced in 1996 with solar powered aero beacon. The lens is on display in Clausen Museum in the nearby community of Petersburg.

The lighthouse was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2005.[1][2]

It is currently an active aid to navigation. The lighthouse is currently owned and maintained by the Cape Decision Lighthouse Society.

References
  1. "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. March 13, 2009.
  2. "National Register of Historic Places Inventory/Nomination: Cape Decision Light Station". National Park Service. and accompanying photos
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