Eldred Rock Lighthouse Preservation Association

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RESTORE, PRESERVE, SHARE 

The Eldred Rock Lighthouse Preservation Association (ERLPA) of Haines, Alaska was organized to restore, maintain, and preserve the historic Eldred Rock Lighthouse, placed into service in 1906.  ERLPA strives to rehabilitate the lighthouse and make it safe to share with the local community and visitors. The lighthouse is located on a remote island approximately 55 miles north of Juneau and 17 miles south of Haines, in North Lynn Canal. In 2020, ERLPA received a lease agreement with the United States Coast Guard to begin the rehabilitation and restoration of the Light Station in accordance with the National Historic Lighthouse Preservation Act of 2000.  Ultimately, a maritime museum will be established to educate the public regarding the history of the Lighthouse and maritime heritage of Lynn Canal and the State of Alaska. ERLPA hopes to open the lighthouse to limited public visits and rentals of the Keeper Quarters after a June 2026 ribbon-cutting ceremony to commemorate the 120th anniversary of the commissioning of Eldred Rock Light Station on June 1, 1906.

Built in 1905, Eldred Rock Lighthouse is the oldest original lighthouse in Alaska and the only remaining octagonal frame lighthouse of those built between 1902-1905. It was established in response to the many shipwrecks nearby, especially during the 1898 Gold Rush, when Lynn Canal was in heavy use. Eldred Rock was automated and left empty in 1973, gaining a listing on the National Register of Historic Places in 1975. 50 years later, the Eldred Rock Lighthouse Preservation Association has begun the arduous task of restoring, maintaining, and preserving the light station to make it available for the public to safely visit. The buildings have fallen into disrepair and the lighthouse has been selected as one of the Ten Most Endangered Alaska Historic Properties by Preservation Alaska.  Become a member to help Save Eldred Rock Lighthouse!

Acknowledgments

Thank you for your support! The Lighthouse would have fallen apart without our private donors as well as the following national, state, and local supporters:

  • Marine Exchange of Alaska (MXAK)
  • Rasmuson Foundation
  • U.S. Lighthouse Society
  • Coeur Alaska-Kensington Mine
  • Dahlberg Design-Juneau, AK
  • Home Depot-Juneau, AK
  • Sherwin Williams-Juneau, AK
  • Coastal Helicopters-Juneau, AK
  • Mercury Contracting-Juneau, AK
  • Chilkat Valley Community Foundation, Haines AK
  • Preservation Alaska (Alaska Association for Historic Properties)
  • State of Alaska, Office of History and Archaeology
  • Alaska Marine Highway System (AMHS)
  • Chilkat Valley News, Juneau Empire, and KTOO News and Public Media
  • Alaska Center for Excellence in Journalism

 

Commissioner Lifetime Members

We would like to thank these businesses and private members for supporting us at the Commissioner level:

  • Marine Exchange of Alaska
  • Coeur Alaska-Kensington Mine
  • Lynn Canal Corporation
  • Michael Marks & Lorraine Dudzik
  • Brian & Allie Peterman
  • Gary Sonnenberg
  • Omar Cordes
  • Donald Chase
  • Ed Page
  • Sue Waterhouse
  • Barnaby Brewing
  • Suzanne Sauerteig
  • Keith McPencow
  • Ron and Marlis Minor
  • Eric Kocher
  • Sigrid Dahlberg & Hal Geiger
  • Judy Skagerberg
  • Gary Gillette and Renee Hughes
  • Matt and Sue York

Support

Please consider donating. We welcome money, time and ideas.

Contact us for more information about how you can help.

News

Lighthouse Friends has an excellent article about Eldred Rock, full of history and the endearing feelings that locals have for “The Rock.”

Lighthouse Friends: Eldred Rock

USLHS Passport Program

Eldred Rock Lighthouse participates in the United States Lighthouse Passport Program.  Millions of cruise ship passengers pass by every year, and a photo of the Rock is all you need to collect a stamp. Our official stamp is yours with a small donation to help you fill your passport!  You can purchase a passport at: USLHS Passport