User:Sandrat505

Lighthouses at Cabo Falso (The False Cape)

~ Page under construction ~

Dating back to 1890 there has been a Lighthouse at the southern most point of the Baja Peninsula, Mexico providing navigation aid to passing ships (List of lighthouses in Mexico). These lighthouses are named for the False Cape the the tip of the peninsula represents as it curls into the Sea of Cortez (Gulf of California) from the Pacific Ocean.

Cabo Falso Lighthouse (1) ~ History

Constrution begun on the first lighthouse in 1890 at this southern point of the Baja overlooking the Pacific Ocean. It is believed that operations started in 1895 and ceased in 1961.

The original lighthouse, now a ruin, is accessble to visitors of the Quivira Golf Course. This original site (Cabo Falso 1) consisted of a tower and a light keepers house which are attached to one another. The original buildings are in disrepair but recent efforts appear to have been made by the Golf Course owners to protect and stablize the foundations. The interior of the original buildings is closed to vistors but the exterior areas have been surrounded by a path allowing acces. A number of information placards provide a history of the site. One of these placards state that from this point southward there is no further land mass until you reach Anarticica.

Cabo Falso Lighthouse (2) ~ History

In the 1960's a newer lighthouse was built on the hill directly behind the original site. This new site consisted of a foundation pedestal with walls giving it a bowl appearance. The tower was constructed of renforced concrete and held a metal turet that housed the actual light source and lenses. Power was supplied via electricity from the local power grid. There is remnants of a possible first concrete tower at this site as well. This may have been a smaller shorter tower that predates the current lighthouse. It appears to have been toppled and remains in place beside the pedestal.

Technical information: Cabo Falso (2)

Placed in service 1967, focal plane of 190 m (623 ft); white flash every 6 s. Tower measuring 6 m (20 ft) hexagonal cylindrical concrete tower with lantern and gallery. Red and White horizontal bands are displayed on the exterior. Located on heights above the cape, about 800 m (1/2 mi) northeast of the historic lighthouse. Site open to public during daytime hours. Light non-functional (2019).

ARLHS MEX-102; CF-03-305; Admiralty G3586; NGA 14548.

Recent Events

This renforced concrete tower withstood the hurricane that hit the Baja in September 2014 but the light source and lenses were damaged. Nearly all the glass panels were blown out and the resulting over pressure also blew out the access door at the base of the tower. This storm, Hurricane Odile, left a path of destruction along the Baja as it traveled North. The international airport was placed out of service for a period of time.

Repairs were made and the lighthouse was placed back in operation by 2015. Power was supplied via solar panels mounted on the tower and a modern light and lenses were installed. Another hurricane hit the Baja area in 2018 and again damaged the existing power source and lights. Hurricane Bud (2018) did not inflict widespread damage as if affected the Baja area but did knock out the lighting equipment at the existing lighthouse.

List of Baja California Peninsula hurricanes

As of February 2019 the only lighting on the tower was a flashing red warning light. The modern lenses and lighting equipment remain in place but are non-functioning. The future status of this lighthouse as an active navigational aid is unknown.

Access to the lighthouse was improved in 2018 with the insulation of cell towers on the hill. The paths to the lighthouse are also now designated as hiking and biking corridors for the Pueblo Bonito Resort Properites that surrounds the Lighthouse. Visitors are welcome during daytime hours.

Links:

> http://www.loscabosguide.com/the-old-light-house-cabo-san-lucas/

> https://medium.com/baja-california-sur-architectural-heritage/cabo-falso-lighthouse-and-marine-products-packing-31359efdb32d