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Point Fermin Lighthouse

Built in 1874, The Point Fermin Lighthouse was the first navigational light into San Pedro Bay. The first lighthouse keepers for Point Fermin were women, Mary a...
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Built in 1874, The Point Fermin Lighthouse was the first navigational light into San Pedro Bay. The first lighthouse keepers for Point Fermin were women, Mary and Ella Smith. The sisters resigned in 1882 opening the door for retired Captain George Shaw. Captain Shaw was the first keeper at Point Fermin to wear the US Lighthouse Service Uniform.

The Austin family were the last keepers of the lighthouse taking residency in 1917. The Austin family took keep of the lighthouse until 1927 when management was turned over to the city of Los Angeles.

Between 1927 and 1941 the lighthouse was electrified, however, on Dec.7th 1941 Pearl Harbor was bombed and the entire coast went dark in fear of being a beacon to enemy ships and planes. During WWII it served as a lookout for the navy and after the war it was returned to the city management.
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