The lighthouse is at the south end of the narrowest part of Golden Gate strait.

While awaiting the arrival of its lens (from Paris), it was torn down to make room for the Army fort.

[4] The second lighthouse at Fort Point was a squat wooden 36-foot (11 m) tower with four sides that sloped up to a square watch room.

On September 1, 1934, after the towers for the Golden Gate Bridge were completed, the lighthouse was deactivated.

The bridge would block off much of the light from the lighthouse, and as the towers were 740 feet (226 m) tall, they provided a more visible warning for mariners.