Coast Guard Residence

Residence location, 1932.

Quick Facts

OPEN TO PUBLIC:

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Amenities

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Historical/Interpretive Information/Exhibits

Today this building serves as a ranger residence. Historically, this three-bedroom house was where the Coast Guard assistant light keeper resided. This is the last remaining house of four that were built in a quadrangle. The foundations of the other three are still visible.

The Mission Revival design is seen in the red tile roof, stucco exterior and arched entranceway. The interior also has architectural features such as carved rustic beams, wrought iron structural elements, fireplace, arched doorways and brass fittings.
 

Anacapa Light Station Life

Life at the Anacapa Light Station proved to be unlike that at most stations in the country. While a number of other lights had been placed in isolated and dangerous locations, Anacapa enjoyed a combination of isolation and danger with reasonable proximity to civilization. For instance, the wife of assistant keeper Rex Coursey fell and seriously injured herself in 1934. Radio calls for help were met with a response from the battleship California that was nearby. The ship rapidly appeared, Mrs. Coursey was lowered to the landing and taken to the mainland. The quick response saved her life, according to doctors at the hospital.

With its new residences and equipment, life at Anacapa could be better than many other stations that typically had 19th century buildings and infrastructure. The complex resembled a neighborhood, with houses flanking a central road that led to the utility buildings and lighthouse. A photograph taken in 1951 showed the "Main Street" lined with rocks painted white and neat fences around the residences. Typically, six men lived at the station, some with families. During the Coast Guard years, a man typically made a two-year tour of duty, moving on to another assignment at the end of the Anacapa tour. The stucco mission revival houses could be found on any suburban California street except for the distance from a shopping center.

For more information, visit the Anacapa Island Self-guided Tour Introduction and Lighthouse Complex.