East Brother Lighthouse seeks $750K to save historic pier and gangway

The non-profit organization that oversees Richmond's historic East Brother Light Station is currently seeking funds to complete much-needed repairs to both the station's pier and gangway, and is seeking donations to help cover the cost.

East Brother Light Station, Inc. (www.ebls.org), announced on Wednesday a campaign to raise $750,000 to replace the pier and gangway, which provide the only access to the island. Both were constructed by the US Coast Guard in 1962; however, the Coast Guard currently lacks funds for maintenance and repairs.

"Since 1979, East Brother Light Station, Inc. has poured hundreds of thousands of volunteer hours and millions of dollars from B&B revenue into the island to maintain it and keep it open for public use. However, revenue from operation of the B&B and all the volunteers in the world can never be enough to replace the pier and gangway. Without use of the pier and gangway, occupation of East Brother Island would cease, the bed and breakfast inn would close, and the stream of funding critical for maintenance would quickly dry up. The buildings would soon be destroyed by neglect, vandalism and weather. with your help, we can avoid this sad but avoidable outcome. That is why, today, we starting the campaign to save East Brother. We are soliciting donors, grants, philanthropists, foundations, and public agencies for help," the statement said.

East Brother Light Station, Inc. has been the steward of the Light Station for the last 45 years, following its abandonment by the U.S. Coast Guard in 1969. The nonprofit organization has rehabilitated the lighthouse and other structures, which have been operating as a bed and breakfast inn since 1980, generating revenue to support its ongoing maintenance.

Former Richmond Mayor Tom Butt, who is also president of East Brother Light Station, Inc., told Grandview that he has worked at saving East Brother for more than half his life, and isn't ready to stop yet.

"Our dedicated board members and volunteers have donated thousands of hours to make sure this irreplaceable landmark endures for future generations and continued public access," Butt said. "There is nothing else like it anywhere, and we just can’t let it go now. I am confident that people, foundations, philanthropists, and public agencies will step up and give it at least another 150 years."

Built in 1874 and automated in 1969, East Brother is the oldest operating wood-frame lighthouse on the West Coast. Designed by Paul J. Pelz, who also built the Mare Island Light in the Carquinez Strait, East Brother is listed in the National Register of Historic Places and is a California Registered Historic Landmark. It has been the subject of hundreds of media articles and video coverage, and has also received numerous awards.

For more information, contact tom.butt@intres.com.

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