Postcard 1912

The South Pierhead Light was originally built as the inner light of a two-lighthouse range system operated in tandem with a partner light and fog signal farther from shore. A metal elevated catwalk about 2,000 feet long extended along the south pier from shore to these two lights, providing for safe access when environmental conditions were adverse. These range lights operated together until the 1920s when the outer light and catwalk were dismantled and the pier shortened to its present length. Since then, the South Pierhead Light has stood alone. It has been an active aid to navigation ever since its construction.