Three cannons were salvaged from the wreck of the burned ship, America in 1855. These cannons, often fired during fourth of July celebrations, were mounted at the northern entrance to the harbor. Since then the cannons have disappeared but the name battery point remained. Also in 1855, Congress appropriated $15,000 for the construction of a lighthouse on this tiny islet connected to battery point by an isthmus at low tide. This was in addition to the 1852 contract for the first eight west coast lighthouses. Yet the Battery point lighthouse was in fact lit ten days before the Humboldt harbor lighthouse, which was the last of the original eight to become operational. On December 10, 1856 this "Cape Cod" style lighthouse was first lit with oil lamps. For 150 years, many keepers and their families tended this light. In 1936, the US Lighthouse service was in charge, until the US Coast Guard took over. In 1953 the lighthouse became automated by a 375mm lens replacing the fourth-order Fresnal lens. The upgrade of the Fifth Order Drumm Lens with 20,000 candle power operated by electricity in the tower until it was decommissioned in 1965. The light was reactivated as a private aid to navigation in 1982. Eventually the lighthouse became home for a museum and curators. This exposed little rocky islet would get pummeled by storms. Waves would wash over it's top striking the lighthouse. One rouge wave broke three panes of glass in the lantern room and deposited water in the tower itself. Even more amazing is it did not receive any damage during the worst Tsunami damage suffered along the west coast of the contiguous US. On March 27, 1964 the strongest earthquake ever recorded in the northern hemisphere with a magnitude 9.2 hit Alaska near Prince William Sound. The waves raced southward at nearly 600 mph and reached Crescent City around midnight. The curators of the lighthouse at the time was Clarence(Roxey) and Peggy Coons. The nearly full moon illuminated the harbor that night when Peggy Coons awoke before midnight to use the lavatory. She was wary of the extremely high tide in the harbor and woke her husband. They quickly dressed and hurried outside to see the first waves pummel Crescent City. The following is Peggy's account of the event. More info in first comment, hit Rendo's character limit. Thank you all that viewed my last image below.

"Front and back"