Punta Higüero Light (Spanish: Faro de Punta Higüero) is a historic lighthouse located in the municipality of Rincón on the westernmost point, known as Punta Higüero, in the main island of Puerto Rico. The original building was built in 1892 by the Spanish government and was rebuilt in 1922 by the United States Coast Guard.[3]
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| Location | Rincón, Puerto Rico |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 18°21′43.3″N 67°16′15.5″W / 18.362028°N 67.270972°W |
| Tower | |
| Foundation | Concrete |
| Construction | Concrete |
| Automated | 1933 [1] |
| Height | 21 m (69 ft)  |
| Shape | Octagonal cylindrical |
| Markings | Gray |
| Heritage | National Register of Historic Places listed place |
| Light | |
| First lit | 1892 |
| Focal height | 27 m (89 ft) |
| Lens | Sixth order 1892 |
| Range | 9 nmi (17 km; 10 mi) |
| Characteristic | Oc W 4s |
Faro de Punta Higuero | |
| MPS | Lighthouse System of Puerto Rico TR |
| NRHP reference No. | 81000560 [2] |
In 1892 the original light was built as a fixed white, 6th order dioptric station and had a 6-mile-range (9.7 km) light beam. According to the Historic American Engineering Record, "Its Mediterranean appearance came from an elaborate combination of exposed and indented brick work in the facades—around doors and windows—and corners."[4] The "castle" look was further emphasized by reddish stucco imitating stone-work on all facades and the very elaborate exposed brick cornice topped by a parapet built in lace-like brick-work. The lighthouse was severely damaged by the 1918 earthquake that struck the west part of the island.
The new light was placed in commission on January 12, 1922.[5] The building suffered fire damage after the light was automated in 1933 and was later razed. The town of Rincón built El Faro Park around the lighthouse, a popular spot for surfing and whale watching.[6]
Gallery
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Punta Higuero Light, ca 1898 -
Park next to the Rincón lighthouse
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See also
editReferences
edit- ^ "Historic Light Station Information and Photography: Puerto Rico". United States Coast Guard Historian's Office. Archived from the original on 2017-05-01. Retrieved March 26, 2009.
- ^ "Inventory of Historic Light Stations National Park Service". Archived from the original on April 3, 2009. Retrieved March 27, 2009.
- ^ "Rincón 1". Ediciones Digitales. Retrieved June 28, 2019.
- ^ Murphy, Kevin (August 1984). "Faro de Punta Higuero" (PDF). Historic American Engineering Record. Washington, D.C.: Library of Congress. p. 1. Retrieved October 20, 2020.
- ^ "Rincón 2". Ediciones Digitales. Retrieved June 28, 2019.
- ^ Franklin, Marie C. (2003-10-26). "Waves of pleasure in Rincon". Boston Globe. Archived from the original on 2012-10-23. Retrieved March 26, 2009.
External links
edit- Historic American Engineering Record (HAER) No. PR-21, "Faro de Punta Higuero, Punta Higuero, Centro Puntas, Rincon Municipio, PR", 10 photos, 2 data pages, 1 photo caption page
