Called the “robot light,” Long Beach Light stands as a testament to modern lighthouse design. When established in 1949, this automated beacon was unlike any traditional lighthouse. It marked a new era for America’s West Coast.
The Long Beach Light is not your typical picturesque lighthouse. This 42-foot white rectangular tower has a columnar base. The Long Beach Light has earned the moniker “robot light.” Its unique design resembles a 1950s robot.
Designed to withstand earthquakes, winds, and waves, the Long Beach Light is a marvel of engineering. The three-story facility is built of concrete. It is supported by six cement columns. These columns are cast into six pockets of a crib.
Initially, the Long Beach Light was controlled remotely. The ANRAC system from Los Angeles Harbor Light managed it. It featured dual-tone fog signals and a radio beacon. The fog signal blasts every 30 seconds. It can be heard for up to a half mile.
In 1968, another navigation light was erected at the Port of Long Beach pilot station. This later light marked the harbor entrance channel. It was accompanied by a Coast Guard radar scanner.
The Long Beach Light has a rich history. In 1949, it replaced a skeletal tower known as the Long Beach Harbor Lighthouse. Upon completion, the Long Beach Light was hailed as the world’s most modern. It was a forerunner in automated aids to navigation. The original lighthouse cost about $200,000.
The United States Coast Guard maintains the Long Beach Light. The Aids to Navigation Team ensures its light and sound signals function properly. Solar energy powers the Long Beach Light. The light comes on automatically at sunset and turns off at sunrise.
While inaccessible to the public, you can view the Long Beach Light from afar. Head to East Ocean Boulevard. The Long Beach Light stands proudly. It is a crucial part of Long Beach Harbor.
Captain Dan Salas of Harbor Breeze Cruises knows it well. He grew up listening for its fog horn. The Long Beach Light guided him home through misty waters. The Long Beach Light is a dependable sentinel. It is a testament to modern engineering. So next time you are near Long Beach Harbor, take a moment to appreciate this “robot light”. It’s a vital piece of maritime history.