Lighthouses of the Golden State, California’s Shining Beacons
Kent Weymouth
Magpie Publishing, $19.95, 200 Pages, ISBN: 9780979891304
reviewed by Barry Hunter

When Kent sent an email inquiry about reviewing his book, I thought it might be a bit different from the regular fare. He decided to send it and I’m glad he did.

In addition to it being a commentary and description of the various lighthouses that cover the coastline and inland waterways of California, he fills us in on the history of how many of them were built and the lighthouse keepers and their families, in many cases.

From the time the first lighthouse was occupied in 1855 to the electronic beacons of today, Weymouth has done a great deal of research in telling the stories of each lighthouse. The book is filled with pictures and illustrations to show how the lighthouse changed from the Cape Cod/New England type construction to the styles created to fit the environment of their locations.

The picture of the Point Reyes station shows one of the most unusual locations I have ever seen. Fort Point is the only brick fort west of the Mississippi and is modeled after Fort Sumter. There are pictures of the original and the current lighthouses on Alcatraz Island, which is one of the most visited National Parks.

Weymouth has but together a very interesting and valuable volume. A lot of history might have disappeared had he not written this book. He has a companion website at www.calights.net and his artwork can be seen at www.thecanvasdigital.com.