Eldred Rock Lighthouse Preservation Association

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Rehabilitate and Preserve Eldred Rock Lighthouse

The Eldred Rock Lighthouse Preservation Association of Haines, Alaska was organized to restore, maintain, and preserve the historic Eldred Rock Lighthouse, placed into service in 1906 on Eldred Rock in northern Lynn Canal. The lighthouse is located approximately 50 miles north of Juneau and 15 miles south of Haines. Our initial goal was to obtain ownership of the Lighthouse property from the United States government, but this was not possible due to hazardous environmental conditions in the soil on the property.  In 2018, we pursued a lease agreement with USCG Civil Engineering Unit Real Property which we received in March, 2020.  The Association will now begin the rehabilitation and restoration of the Lighthouse and outbuildings in accordance with the National Historic Lighthouse Preservation Act of 2000.  Ultimately, a visitor’s center and maritime museum will be established to educate the public regarding the history of the Lighthouse and maritime heritage of Lynn Canal and the State of Alaska.

Built in 1905, Eldred Rock Lighthouse is the oldest original lighthouse in Alaska and the only remaining octagonal frame lighthouse of those built between 1902-1905. It was established in response to the many shipwrecks nearby, especially during the 1898 Gold Rush, when Lynn Canal was in heavy use. Eldred Rock was automated and left empty in 1973, gaining a listing on the National Register of Historic Places in 1975.  Eldred Rock Lightstation is #75000332.  Nearly 50 years later, the Eldred Rock Lighthouse Preservation Association has begun the arduous task of restoring, maintaining, and preserving the light station to make it available for the public to safely visit. The buildings have fallen into disrepair and for the last five years the lighthouse has been selected as one of the Ten Most Endangered Alaska Historic Properties by the Alaska Association for Historic Preservation.

Thank You

Thank you for your support! As we enter into our fifth work season at the Rock, we would like to thank all of our private donors for their contributions, as well as the following national, state, and local supporters:

  • Marine Exchange of Alaska (MXAK)
  • Rasmuson Foundation
  • U.S. Lighthouse Society
  • Coeur Alaska-Kensington Mine
  • Dahlberg Design-Juneau, AK
  • Home Depot-Juneau, AK
  • Sherwin Williams-Juneau, AK
  • Coastal Helicopters-Juneau, AK
  • Mercury Contracting-Juneau, AK
  • Chilkat Valley Community Foundation
  • Preservation Alaska (Alaska Association for Historic Properties)
  • State of Alaska, Office of History and Archaeology
  • Alaska Marine Highway System (AMHS)
  • Chilkat Valley News, Juneau Empire, and KTOO News and Public Media
  • Alaska Center for Excellence in Journalism

 

Commissioner Lifetime Members

We would like to thank these businesses and private members for supporting us at the Commissioner level:

  • Marine Exchange of Alaska
  • Coeur Alaska-Kensington Mine
  • Lynn Canal Corporation
  • Michael Marks & Lorraine Dudzik
  • Brian & Allie Peterman
  • Gary Sonnenberg
  • Omar Cordes
  • Donald Chase
  • Captain Ed Page, (USCG Retired)
  • Sue Waterhouse
  • Barnaby Brewing
  • Suzanne Sauerteig
  • Keith McPencow
  • Ron and Marlis Minor
  • Eric Kocher
  • Sigrid Dahlberg & Hal Geiger
  • Judy Skagerberg

Support

Please consider donating. We welcome money, time and ideas.

Contact us for more information about how you can help.

News

Lighthouse Friends has an excellent article about Eldred Rock

Click here to read it.

USLHS Passport Program

Eldred Rock Lighthouse participates in the United States Lighthouse Passport Program.  Our official stamp is yours with a small donation to help you fill your passport!  You can purchase a passport at: https://uslhs.org/shop/collectibles/lighthouse-passport