April brings delightful weather to the Central Coast, making it an ideal time to explore our great outdoors. We welcome an abundance of sunshine and mild temperatures during this time, creating perfect conditions for adventures such as beach outings, hiking along the coast, or cycling on the Bob Jones Trail. Additionally, April offers an array of spectacular wildlife viewings, a kaleidoscope of blooming wildflowers dotting the landscapes, and the Pacific Ocean shimmering in brilliant aquamarine. We’re all so very fortunate to live in an area filled with such amazing beauty and natural wonder.
This month, the foundation is spotlighting 2024 grant recipient the Point San Luis Lighthouse Keepers. The Point San Luis Lighthouse Keepers (PSLHK) is a non-profit 501(c)3 formed in 1995. The Keepers’ mission is to restore, preserve, and operate the historic Point San Luis Light Station as a public park and museum. The Keepers have spent more than 80,000 hours since 1995 restoring the Lighthouse and its historic structures to their original condition circa 1890-1900. With the first phase of improvements completed, the current focus has been on the maintenance of the historic site and the surrounding buildings and property. The Light Station operates as a historical destination site thanks to the participation of the Port San Luis Harbor Commission and PG&E. The Point San Luis Lighthouse Keepers offer docent-led interpretive tours to experience the rich history of the beautifully restored Lighthouse, the Hornhouse, and other structures.
The book, The Lighthouse at Point San Luis, by board member and lighthouse historian, Kathy Mastako is “a collection of short (true) stories”, that details the lives of the lightkeepers of Point San Luis from the late nineteenth century to the mid twentieth century. To mark the book's publication in 2023, the Keepers arranged a reunion of "Coasties" and their families last summer. Many of these former keepers had moved away and hadn't seen Avila Beach or the light station in fifty years.
Throughout the world, lighthouses and light stations are considered significant sites, worthy of protection and preservation. The Point San Luis Light Station, built to protect shipping traffic which grew rapidly with the construction of the Harford Pier, played an important part in the economic and cultural growth of Avila Beach and San Luis Obispo County. It is tied to the development of the county in the 1890’s, the protection of the coast during WWII, the safety of the fishing fleets and pleasure craft today, and even the launching of missiles at Vandenberg, as the site houses the range clearing radar for the base.
In 2024, Avila Beach Community Foundation is pleased to award funding to the Point San Luis Lighthouse Keepers in support of the historical preservation of their water cisterns.
As a reminder, the foundation is currently accepting applications from local organizations or individuals to apply for a single $8,500 Community Impact Grant. Interested parties are required to complete and submit an application and cover letter no later than April 30, 2024. To download an application and for additional information, please visit our website: www.avilabeachfoundation.org.
Until next month, enjoy the great outdoors and have a wonderful April!
This month, the foundation is spotlighting 2024 grant recipient the Point San Luis Lighthouse Keepers. The Point San Luis Lighthouse Keepers (PSLHK) is a non-profit 501(c)3 formed in 1995. The Keepers’ mission is to restore, preserve, and operate the historic Point San Luis Light Station as a public park and museum. The Keepers have spent more than 80,000 hours since 1995 restoring the Lighthouse and its historic structures to their original condition circa 1890-1900. With the first phase of improvements completed, the current focus has been on the maintenance of the historic site and the surrounding buildings and property. The Light Station operates as a historical destination site thanks to the participation of the Port San Luis Harbor Commission and PG&E. The Point San Luis Lighthouse Keepers offer docent-led interpretive tours to experience the rich history of the beautifully restored Lighthouse, the Hornhouse, and other structures.
The book, The Lighthouse at Point San Luis, by board member and lighthouse historian, Kathy Mastako is “a collection of short (true) stories”, that details the lives of the lightkeepers of Point San Luis from the late nineteenth century to the mid twentieth century. To mark the book's publication in 2023, the Keepers arranged a reunion of "Coasties" and their families last summer. Many of these former keepers had moved away and hadn't seen Avila Beach or the light station in fifty years.
Throughout the world, lighthouses and light stations are considered significant sites, worthy of protection and preservation. The Point San Luis Light Station, built to protect shipping traffic which grew rapidly with the construction of the Harford Pier, played an important part in the economic and cultural growth of Avila Beach and San Luis Obispo County. It is tied to the development of the county in the 1890’s, the protection of the coast during WWII, the safety of the fishing fleets and pleasure craft today, and even the launching of missiles at Vandenberg, as the site houses the range clearing radar for the base.
In 2024, Avila Beach Community Foundation is pleased to award funding to the Point San Luis Lighthouse Keepers in support of the historical preservation of their water cisterns.
As a reminder, the foundation is currently accepting applications from local organizations or individuals to apply for a single $8,500 Community Impact Grant. Interested parties are required to complete and submit an application and cover letter no later than April 30, 2024. To download an application and for additional information, please visit our website: www.avilabeachfoundation.org.
Until next month, enjoy the great outdoors and have a wonderful April!
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