“When the sound of a signal on Lime Point is once picked up anywhere outside the harbor or off the city front,” the Board claimed, “it can be steered for directly.” Today we explore Lime Point. This rock spur extends into San Francisco Bay. It sits just east of the Golden Gate Bridge’s north tower.
Lime Point’s story is one of maritime safety and strategic importance. Before the bridge, in 1833, a fog signal was built here. A keeper’s house was also constructed. By 1900, a lens lantern was added to the fog signal building. It stood nineteen feet above the water.
Initially, two men staffed Lime Point. Later, a third story was added to the keeper’s house. The crew increased to three. They also oversaw the Point Diablo light. This was a small light west of Lime Point.
Imagine the life of a Lime Point keeper. Each keeper worked two six-hour shifts daily. In 1923, they also maintained the Point Diablo light.
The fog signal was crucial. In 1883, twin steam fog whistles began operation. These were powered by coal. The hungry boilers consumed ninety tons of coal a year. To save money, they switched to oil in 1902. The cost for twenty-four hours dropped from $25.44 to $6.91.
Lime Point faced challenges. Heavy rains once triggered a landslide. It damaged the water tank. The 1906 San Francisco earthquake wrecked the station’s large water tank. A new 30,000-gallon redwood tank was built.
One tragic incident occurred in 1902. Head keeper John McKenna fell down an embankment. He died after striking his head on the rocks.
Peter C. Nelson was another head keeper. He served for twenty-eight years. In 1909, he spotted three young men in a sailboat. They were struggling in the bay. Nelson used a megaphone to encourage them. He also called the lifesaving crew at Fort Point. He was credited with saving their lives.
In 1913, Nelson himself needed rescuing. He fell into the bay while whitewashing the lighthouse. Assistant Keeper Edward Wiborg and soldiers from Fort Baker saved him.
Even with the Golden Gate Bridge, Lime Point remained vital. In 1960, the freighter India Bear rammed the causeway. This happened even with the fog signal sounding. A coastguardsman said he thought the bridge had come down.
In 1959, a burglar threatened the coastguardsmen. He shot a ketchup bottle and a telephone. He stole cash and a .45 automatic. The perpetrator was caught later in a bar.
Lime Point was automated in 1961. The three-story dwelling was torn down. Today, only the fog signal building remains. It stands as a silent witness to Lime Point’s past. It often goes unnoticed by bridge visitors.
Lime Point’s light may be gone. But its story of dedication and service endures.