List of lighthouses in Puerto Rico

Layout of lighthouses in Puerto Rico as planned by the Spanish government, circa 1885

The lighthouses system of Puerto Rico consists of lighthouses that were built mostly during the last twenty years of the nineteenth century. These served as guides to important marine routes.

In 1869 the Spanish government approved the first plan for Puerto Rico in order to serve the ships that sail through its waters. ^[1] The lighthouses are located in prominent and isolated areas with good visibility towards the sea. The classification system of the lighthouses of Puerto Rico was based on the characteristics of the lens, and the structure. ^[2] The lights of the first and second order have a wider light to warn ships of the proximity to land, followed by the minor lights, whose scope was limited to smaller harbors and bays and to connect the primary lights in the system.

In 1898, the United States acquired the lighthouses of Puerto Rico as a result of the Spanish–American War. ^[3] In 1900, the United States Lighthouse Board acquired responsibility for the aids to navigation. The lights are maintained by the Coast Guard since 1939.

In 1981, the lighthouses of Puerto Rico were listed in the National Register of Historic Places. ^[3] In 2000, they were included by the Puerto Rican government in the National Register of Historic Properties of Puerto Rico. ^[2]

The Coast Guard has been transferring responsibility of the lighthouses to local government and conservation organizations. Some of the lighthouses have been fully restored and are open to the public. In 2001, under the National Historic Lighthouse Preservation Act, Cape San Juan Light became the first lighthouse to be transferred to a non-governmental organization in Puerto Rico. ^[4]

Los Morrillos Light restored by the municipality of Cabo Rojo

List of lighthouses in Puerto Rico

Mona Island Light was designed by Gustav Eiffel, the only lighthouse built of iron and steel in Puerto Rico.

Guánica Light, the lighthouse is in ruins, though some parts of its unique architectural elements are still visible.

Punta Higuero Light, restored by the municipality of Rincón

The following is a list of lighthouses in Puerto Rico:

Name	Municipality	Established	Tower height in meters (ft)	Focal plane in meters (ft)	Current status	Current condition
Los Morrillos Light	Cabo Rojo	1882	12 m (40 ft.)	37 m (121 ft)	Active	Restored for tourism
Punta Higuero Light	Rincón	1892	21 m (69 ft)	27 m (90 ft)	Active	It has been fully restored and is part of the El Faro Park, a tourist and recreation center.
Punta Borinquen Light	Aguadilla	1892	18 m (60 ft)	89 m (292 ft)	Active	Operational
Arecibo Light	Arecibo	1898	14 m (46 ft)	36 m (120 ft)	Active	Restored for tourism
Port San Juan Light	San Juan	1846	15.5 m (51 ft)	55 m (181 ft)	Active	Restored for tourism. Also known as El Morro, Faro de Morro or Faro del Castillo del Morro or Puerto San Juan Light.
Cape San Juan Light	Fajardo	1880	14 m (45 ft)	79 m (260 ft)	Active	Restored for tourism
Guánica Light	Guanica	1893	N/A	N/A	Inactive	Ruins
Cardona Island Light	Ponce	1889	11 m (36 ft)	14 m (46 ft)	Active	Good
Caja de Muertos Light	Ponce	1887	19 m (63 ft)	91 m (297 ft)	Active	Restored for tourism
Punta de las Figuras Light	Arroyo	1893	15 m (50 ft)	N/A	Inactive	Restored for tourism. Damaged by Hurricane Maria 9/20/17
Punta Tuna Light	Maunabo	1892	15 m (49 ft)	34 m (111 ft)	Active	Restored for tourism. Damaged by Hurricane Maria, 9/20/17.
Mona Island Light	Mayagüez (Mona Island)	1900	16 m (52 ft)	N/A	Inactive	Its condition is considered dire. Unless restored soon, many considered the lighthouse lost.
Punta Mulas Light	Vieques	1896	10 m (32 ft)	21 m (68 ft.)	Active	Restored for tourism
Puerto Ferro Light	Vieques	1896	N/A	N/A	Inactive	Abandoned and deteriorating rapidly
Culebrita Lighthouse	Culebra	1886	13 m (43 ft)	93 m (305 ft)	Active	In Ruins
Isla Cabras Light	Ceiba	1908	N/A	N/A	Destroyed	Abandoned in 1965 and destroyed in 1966

See also

• Lighthouses in the United States
• Lists of lighthouses and lightvessels

References

1. "Oficina Estatal de Preservación histórica de PR. "El sistema de faros de Puerto Rico"" (in Spanish). Trasfondo de nuestros faros. Archived from the original on February 4, 2009. Retrieved May 8, 2009.
2. "Acerca de los Faros de Puerto Rico" (in Spanish). Enciclopedia de Puerto Rico. January 5, 2009. Archived from the original on June 21, 2010. Retrieved May 8, 2009.
3. "Faros de Puerto Rico". Patrimonio. 1 (in Spanish). 4 (October–December 1989). Oficina Estatal de Preservacion Historica. Gobierno de Puerto Rico.
4. "Deputy Secretary Scarlett Leads Ceremony Transferring Las Cabezas de San Juan Lighthouse to The Conservation Trust of Puerto Rico". U.S. Department of the Interior. Archived from the original on May 7, 2009. Retrieved May 8, 2009.

External links

• Inventory of Historic Light Stations: Puerto Rico Lighthouses Archived 2007-06-12 at the Wayback Machine , United States National Park Service Maritime Heritage Program
• Presidential Proclamation annexing lighthouses, 30 June 1903.
• Rowlett, Russ. "The Lighthouse Directory". University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.