Cutting Terrors Out of Fogs: History and Archaeology of the Point Reyes Naval Radio Compass Station NLG

 Established in 1920 along the southern stretch of Point Reyes Beach, the Point Reyes Naval Radio Compass Station represents a revolutionary development in maritime navigational technology. As part of the San Francisco Bay Entrance Group of radio compass stations, it protected sailors in the San Francisco sea lanes from the dangers of shoals and rock, even in the thickest fog or darkest night. Despite the stations achievements in taming the Pacific, bluff erosion and the unrelenting surf have left the station precariously perched at the edge of a coastal bluff, prompting an effort to evaluate and document the site before it is lost. This presentation elaborates on the findings of the site evaluation to discuss the history and technology of the network of radio compass stations, workplace conditions, and behaviors of the radio technicians who operated the station.

Speaker: Paul Engel, Archeological Technician, Point Reyes National Seashore