Eldred Rock Lighthouse Grand Opening

A multifaceted Grand Opening Celebration for the restored Eldred Rock Lighthouse will commemorate the 120th anniversary of its commissioning on June 1, 1906. This marks the culmination of years of volunteer-driven restoration work by the Eldred Rock Lighthouse Preservation Association, transforming Alaska’s oldest original lighthouse into a safe, accessible historic site for public visits and Keeper Quarters rentals.

The Grand Opening includes two complementary components:
– In-town events: held in the communities Haines and Juneau, designed to recognize and celebrate the contributions of local volunteers, donors, and in-kind supporters who have made the restoration possible. These events foster community pride, education about maritime heritage, and ongoing support for the lighthouse’s preservation.
– Ribbon Cutting Ceremony at Eldred Rock: Grand Opening cruises departing from the ports of Juneau (approximately 55 miles south) and Haines (approximately 17 miles north), converging at Eldred Rock Island in North Lynn Canal for a shared on-site ceremony. This maritime-based format highlights the lighthouse’s remote location and its historic role as a U.S. Lighthouse Establishment, U.S. Lighthouse Service, and U.S. Coast Guard aid to navigation. As Alaska’s oldest original lighthouse, this ceremony will highlight its’ contributions to American history during the Gold Rush Era. The Alaska and American flags will be flown for the first time in over 50 years since automation of the lighthouse in 1973.