Trinidad Memorial Lighthouse finds permanent home after permit approval
The Trinidad Memorial Lighthouse will stay at its current location on the Trinidad Rancheria Harbor after approval from the Coastal Commission.
According to theCher-Ae Heights Indian Community of the Trinidad Rancheria and the Trinidad Civic Club, the site will undergo development as a fixed location, with plans to elevate the lighthouse on a concrete foundation, steel railing, a pedestrian walkway with a concrete pedestal to house the fog bell, two observation benches, a historic anchor, lighting, and utility connections to existing bathrooms.
The memorial was created in 1949 as a replica of the 1870 Trinidad Head Lighthouse that provided safe passage to ships in the area. The memorial is home to the original Fresnel coal oil lense and the bronze fog bell from 1898.
Read the full press release below:
The Cher-Ae Heights Indian Community of the Trinidad Rancheria and the Trinidad Civic Club are pleased to announce that the CA Coastal Commission has unanimously approved the permit amendment to enable the Tribe and Civic Club to develop the current temporary site of the Trinidad Memorial Lighthouse into a permanent fixed location. This development will include elevating the lighthouse on a raised concrete foundation with a total height of 24.5 feet (plus spire), a concrete wall and steel railing, a pedestrian walkway with a concrete pedestal to house the fog bell, two observation benches, a historic anchor, lighting, and utility connections to the existing harbor bathroom building. The Trinidad Memorial Lighthouse was built in 1949 and is a replica of the 1871 Trinidad Head Lighthouse. The purpose of the Trinidad Memorial Lighthouse is to preserve the original 1871 4 th Order Fresnel coal oil lens and the bronze 1898 Fog Bell—both important maritime navigational aids. The Memorial Lighthouse also serves as a monument commemorating those lost or buried at sea and is an iconic symbol of Humboldt County. In response to coastal erosion in 2017, on adjacent City of Trinidad land, the Civic Club hired an engineering firm to monitor ground movement and make recommendations. Though no movement of the Lighthouse was detected, a proactive decision was made, to protect the monument and sensitive lands below. On January 10, 2018, in coordination between the Trinidad Rancheria, the Trinidad Civic Club and the Yurok Tribe, the Trinidad Memorial Lighthouse and Bell were moved to the Trinidad Rancheria Harbor properties. The Trinidad Rancheria and Trinidad Civic Club are excited to proceed with this project and develop the final, permanent location for the Trinidad Memorial Lighthouse and Bell. Signage at the site will read, “Trinidad Memorial Lighthouse, a Monument Preserving Maritime History, Dedicated to Those Lost or Buried at Sea” and in the future, will feature commemorative plaques naming those lost or buried at sea. Trinidad Rancheria owns and operates the Trinidad Harbor businesses, including the pier, boat launch, restaurant, vacation rental, public restrooms, and wastewater treatment plant. Chairman Sundberg indicated, “We are pleased with the Coastal Commission’s staff report and thanked Chair Brownsey for the continued collaboration,” in opening comments at Friday’s hearing. CEO, Jacque Hostler-Carmesin, reiterated that “Trinidad Rancheria has a proven track record of protecting cultural and natural resources at Trinidad Harbor,” and urged the Commission to approve the application. Civic Club Co-President, Dana Hope, shared the need to honor and respect those lost at sea and thanked the many contributors who have funded the permanent site for the Trinidad Memorial Lighthouse.