DONEGAN
LIGHTHOUSE
Built
in 1855, the Donegan Lighthouse has been a key point in Northern
California coastal navigation. In 1856, its warnings saved two ships
from disaster during a storm, and summoned the townspeople to provide
aid for a third that was unable to avoid the rocks. No lives were
lost, and the event fostered a sense of unity among the original
Chinese and Irish settlers.
Today,
it is one of only two manned lighthouses in the nation.
California
Registered Historical Landmark No. 121
Plaque
placed by the State Department of Parks and Recreation in cooperation
with the Price County Historical Society, August 20, 1976.
Arthur
Donegan frowned a little whenever he walked past that plaque. He knew
he should be proud of it, but there were three things that always
bothered him.
First,
it really should be a national landmark by now.
Second,
there was no mention of his ancestor Brian Donegan, who built the
lighthouse and operated it for thirty years.
Third
was the glaring factual error. Yes, there had been a terrible storm;
yes, two of the three ships were saved by his
great-great-great-grandfather's actions; yes, he was also able to
summon the others to provide aid to the third ship's victims.
In
1853. Two years before the lighthouse was built.
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