𝐆𝐅𝐑𝐏 𝐡𝐞𝐥𝐩𝐬 𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐞 𝐂𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐧𝐢𝐚’𝐬 𝐡𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐜 𝐏𝐢𝐠𝐞𝐨𝐧 𝐏𝐨𝐢𝐧𝐭 𝐋𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐬𝐞

For many, summer holidays offer an opportunity to discover historic landmarks, and those lucky enough to have travelled along California’s spectacular coastline may have come across Pigeon Point Lighthouse. Standing 35 metres above the Pacific, around 80 kilometres south of San Francisco, the lighthouse has guided shipping along the California coast since 1872 and is listed on the US National Register of Historic Places.

More than a century of exposure to the harsh marine environment eventually took its toll. In 2001, sections of an exterior cast-iron belt course broke away from the tower, forcing its closure to visitors. A major rehabilitation programme began in 2024 to address deterioration of the masonry and heavily corroded external metalwork.

𝐆𝐅𝐑𝐏 𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬 𝐡𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐜 𝐜𝐚𝐬𝐭 𝐢𝐫𝐨𝐧

The restoration combines traditional masonry work with modern structural materials, including reinforced concrete, marine-grade stainless steel and glass fibre-reinforced polymer (GFRP). According to the latest project update published by the Coastside State Parks Association in June 2026, three circular reinforced-concrete bond beams are being introduced near the top of the tower to strengthen the structure. The lowest of these replaces the original upper cast-iron belt course and will be covered with moulded GFRP designed to reproduce the appearance of the historic cast-iron element.

The application gives #composites an interesting role in the conservation project. Rather than changing the appearance of the historic structure, #GFRP enables a contemporary strengthening solution to be integrated while maintaining the lighthouse’s original architectural character.

The composite is part of a broader multi-material approach. Marine-grade stainless steel is being used to reproduce other external cast-iron components that were too badly corroded to retain, including belt courses, gallery components, railings and brackets. Almost 10,000 new bricks have also been laid as part of the masonry reconstruction. The project illustrates a less conventional application for composites in the built environment. Their design flexibility can support heritage conservation projects where contemporary engineering solutions have to meet structural requirements without compromising the appearance of the original building.

Despite additional deterioration being discovered in the upper part of the tower during the works, the restoration team reported in June that the project remains on track for completion in early 2027. More than 150 years after Pigeon Point #Lighthouse first entered service, GFRP is thus playing a discreet but significant role in helping preserve a landmark of #California’s maritime heritage for future generations.

Photos: California State Park/ Coast Side State Parks

source : Jec Composites