East Brother, can you spare a dime? Historic lighthouse in the Bay needs funds for repairs
by Samantha
Kennedy, Bay City NewsJuly 27, 2025
FILE: East Brother Island Light Station on East Brother Island in the San Rafael Bay, near the tip of Point San Pablo on Nov. 8, 2023. The historic lighthouse needs extensive repairs to its pier and gangway
to maintain public access. (Ray Saint Germain/Bay City News)
Operations and public access to the historic East Brother Light Station are at risk if repairs to the Richmond island’s only access point are not funded, the nonprofit
that acts as a steward to the station said.
“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,” Tom Butt, former Richmond mayor and current president of the nonprofit, said in a statement. “The
buildings would soon be destroyed by neglect, vandalism and weather.”
The Light Station, built in 1847 and automated in 1969, is the oldest operating wood-frame lighthouse on the West Coast. It is listed on the National
Register of Historic Places and a California Registered Landmark.
The East Brother Light Station, built in 1847 and automated in 1969, is the oldest operating wood-frame lighthouse on the West Coast.
The nonprofit has been the steward of the Light Station for 45 years, rehabbing the lighthouse and other structures since the U.S. Coast Guard abandoned it in 1969,
the statement said.
The lighthouse now operates as a bed and breakfast that generates revenue that allows the island to stay open to the public, according to Butt.
“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,” Butt said.
The nonprofit launched an online fundraising campaign through
GoFundMe to raise $51,000 for a prefabricated gangway, according to the campaign. So far, a little over $6,100 had been raised as of Friday afternoon.
More information on how to donate can also be obtained by contacting Butt via email.
Want to receive TOM BUTT E-FORUM delivered to your email address?
Click here to sign-up to receive the E-Forum. Tom Butt is the former mayor of Richmond, CA, having served 27+ years until January of 2023, eight of those as elected mayor. Tom Butt is an architect and founder of the 50-year
old Richmond architecture-engineering firm Interactive Resources. He serves on the board of two Richmond nonprofits,
Rosie the Riveter Trust and
East Brother Light Station, Inc. Visit the
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