It has been said that the small island situated roughly midway between Oakland and San Francisco has had as many names as a modern divorce, and also in like fashion, has reclaimed a former name. The island was reportedly first known as Sea Bird Island. Later, the island would be named for two other island dwellers often seen on its steep slopes. The early Spaniards called the island Yerba Buena, translated good herb, in reference to the curative powers of a mint found growing on the island. When the 49ers startled settling in the area, goats were pastured on the island, and soon the island was known as Goat Island. The island would be called Goat Island until around 1931, when the old Spanish name was officially restored. A resident sailor was dressed up as a goat and ceremoniously pushed into the bay, signaling the end of the name Goat Island.

The islands lighthouse connection began in 1873 when the Lighthouse Service moved the district's depot from Mare Island to the southeast side of Yerba Buena Island. From the depot, a lighthouse tender was dispatched to the light stations up and down the coast. The arrival of the lighthouse tender at a station was a mixed blessing. Not only did it bring desired items like paychecks, mail, food and other supplies for operating the station, but it also brought the notoriously strict lighthouse inspector, who would give the station a thorough going-over. The lighthouse tenders Shubrick, Manzanita, and Madrono were assigned to the depot over the years. Later, the depot was also used to service lightships, which were situated near dangerous sections of the west coast where it was impractical to build a lighthouse.

In 1874, the fog bell from Point Conception, where a steam whistle had recently been installed, was placed on the southwest end of Yerba Buena Island. The bell would be used as a backup for the two, ten-inch steam whistles that were constructed nearby on a level notch carved out of the rocky island. A large water tank and coal house, flanked the twin fog signal buildings. Just above the notch, the unique, octagonal Yerba Buena Lighthouse was built in a Victorian style. The short, ornate tower was constructed of wood, and has the year of completion, 1875, mounted above its doorway. A fifth-order Fresnel lens from the Yaquina Bay Lighthouse, which was discontinued in 1873, was placed in the lantern room. About eighty yards further up the islands slope and constructed in a similar style to the tower stands the two-story keepers' dwelling.

Tweet

---

Full article

Lighthouse Friends - Lighthouse stories, photos, directions, and history.