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Point Vicente Lighthouse: History & Myths
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History
In 1793, England's King George III commissioned Captain George Vancouver to explore the Pacific Coast. During this exploratory mission, Captain Vancouver spotted a stretch of coastal land that was first inhibited by Native Americans known as the Tongvas.
Also referred to as the Gabrielino tribe, these Native Americans lived in Los Angeles and other surrounding areas before the Europeans arrived. The tribe was first described by explorer Juan Cabrillo who was greeted by the Tongvas when he reached the shores of San Pedro in 1542.
By the time Captain Vancouver visited the area, much of the Native American land had been procured by the Rancho San Pedro land grant, and was renamed Rancho de los Palos Verdes, which means "range of green trees".
Intrigued by the quaint, coastal surroundings of the peninsula, Captain George Vancouver promptly named it Point Vincente, in honor of his friend and friar Padre Vincente Santa Maria, who was stationed at Mission San Buenaventura. The spelling of Vincente was changed in the 1920's to the current Vicente.
Myths
A famous myth related to the Point Vicente Lighthouse involve sightings of the "Lady of the Light." The image of a tall woman with tangled hair, wearing a long flowing gown has been seen walking near the lighthouse, or slowly pacing the tower walkway. It is said that her flowing gown can be seen blowing in the wind as she circles the Point Vicente Lighthouse.
There are four different stories that involve the "Lady of the Light". While there are no hard facts relating to the identity of the lady, she is believed to be the wife of the original lighthouse keeper who fell to her death as she stumbled from the edge of Point Vicente's one hundred and thirty foot cliff on a foggy night.
Others believe the ghostly apparition that circles the light tower is a distraught mother who killed her baby and then committed suicide by throwing herself over the cliff. It is said that you can see a woman, or hear her screaming if you care to go there when its dark.
Other rumors suggest the ghostly image still awaits the return of her husband who was lost at sea, or that she is a heartbroken woman who jumped to her demise after she had been jilted and abandoned by her lover.
Scientifically Speaking
World War II ended and the beam of Point Vicente light tower glared in full capacity. The continuous rotating of the bright light was a source of irritation to local residents, and was considered a hazard to motorists who traveled Palos Verdes Drive.
In an effort to smooth the ruffled feathers of complaining homeowners, a coat of white paint was applied to the landward section of the lighthouse lens room to dim the powerful light that would invade the privacy of local bedrooms, making it impossible to sleep.
The lens room was repainted with a much thicker paint in 1955, and the official conclusion of the "Lady of the Light" suggest that it is no more than an extraordinary reflection that can be seen as the light rotates.
The lighthouse lens was constructed in a manner that allowed its arc to be thrown in reversed parenthesis, as the light rotated, the reflection of a woman's ghostly image in a flowing gown could be seen.
The scientific explanation for Point Vicente's ghostly images are attributed to reflections caused by the rotating Fresnel lens that sits in the light tower. Those who believe in paranormal activity are certain that the "Lady of the Light" is a real ghost that roams the cliffs surrounding the San Vicente Lighthouse.
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