[5] The island was proposed as a site for a lighthouse years earlier, but a shortage of funds and shifting priorities delayed the project.

[5] The tower's first order Fresnel lens stood 147 feet (45 m) above sea level and was visible for 24 miles (39 km).

[8] In 1963, the Coast Guard's attempt to turn off the beacon for good was scuttled by the protests of local boaters.

The Coast Guard gutted the original fog signal building and developed it into temporary housing just in case weather prevented maintenance crews from leaving the island.

The only remaining companions to the lighthouse are two oil houses, the fog signal building and original water tower.