The Point Reyes area was chosen for its use as a vital navigational tool in 1852. At that time, Congress appropriated $25,000 to build the Point Reyes Lighthouse. Acquisition of the property and its precarious site delayed construction for many years. Finally, on December 1, 1870 the beacon became operational. During the delay, seven ships ran aground, again illustrating the immense need for a lighthouse in the area!

The First Order Fresnel Lens, with more than 1,000 hand-cut prisms and bull’s eyes, stands close to eight-feet high and over six-feet wide. The fueling and cleaning of the great lens was a full-time job in foggy weather, and attendants were exhausted by the demands. Records reveal, "Point Reyes Lighthouse is plagued by incidents of insanity, alcoholism, violence and insubordination." One keeper even took to drinking the alcohol shipped for cleaning the lens and" was often seen lying drunk by the roadside.

The US Coast Guard took over operation of the lighthouse from the Government Lighthouse Service in 1915. In 1967, following the fatal accident of a visitor, lighthouse tours were suspended. Automatic equipment was put into operation in 1977 at a nearby location, and the light was turned off. The lighthouse was then turned over to the Park Service.

Following a public effort to restore the light, the Park Service relit the original Fresnel Lens and has kept it operational, in case "its unromantic counterpart should ever break down." Tours were also resumed.