Re: Point Lobos Telegraph

05/20/17 - posted by John Martini

I've looked at innumerable historic maps and photos of the Point Lobos area and it seems the Lookout station was in at least four different locations. The original station (the one with a semaphore) was likely at the highest elevation for maximum visibility while signaling, but with the advent of electric telegraphy the station relocated to a shack much closer to the water, probably to get below the prevailing fogs. Then it relocated to the present site of the USS San Francisco Memorial (where it was remodeled a couple of times) and finally to the Octagon House.

The only date I've got a solid lock on is the 1927 move to the Octagon House.

To compound things, for awhile there were two competing stations, one run by the Marine Exchange and the other by the SF Examiner.