View source for Cape Decision Light

{{Short description|Lighthouse in Alaska, United States}}
{{Use American English|date=January 2025}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=August 2023}}
{{Infobox lighthouse
| image           = USCGCape Decision.jpg
| caption         =
| location        = Southwestern extremity of [[Kuiu Island]], [[Alaska]]
| coordinates     = {{coord|56.001463|-134.135822|format=dms|display=inline,title,source:EinDahmer}}
| yearlit         = 1932
| automated       = 1974
| yeardeactivated = 
| foundation      = [[Rock (geology)|Rock]]
| construction    = [[Concrete]]
| shape           = square tower on building
| height          = {{convert|75|ft}}
| lens            = Third order [[Fresnel lens]] (original), Solar powered aero beacon (current)
| range           = {{convert|18|nmi}}
| characteristic  = [[Flashing Light|flashing]] White 5s, Obscured from 134° to 245°. Emergency light (Fl W 5s) of reduced intensity if main light is extinguished.
| module          = {{Infobox NRHP
| name                           = Cape Decision Light Station
| embed                          = yes
| nrhp_type                      = hd
| nocat                          = yes
| image                          =
| caption                        =
| nearest_city                   = [[Edna Bay, Alaska|Edna Bay]]
| architect                      = [[U.S. Lighthouse Service]]
| architecture                   = [[Moderne architecture|Moderne]]
| added                          = February 2, 2005
| area                           = less than one acre
| mpsub                          = Light Stations of the United States MPS
| refnum                         = 04001568<ref name="nris">{{NRISref|version=2009a}}</ref>
| designated_other1              = Alaska Heritage Resources Survey
| designated_other1_name         = Alaska Heritage Resources Survey
| designated_other1_date         = [date]
| designated_other1_color        = #A8EDEF
| designated_other1_abbr         = AHRS
| designated_other1_number       = XPA-00012
| designated_other1_num_position = bottom
}} 
}}
'''Cape Decision''' is a [[lighthouse]] located on [[Kuiu Island]] adjacent to [[Sumner Strait]] in [[Alaska panhandle|Southeast]] Alaska.

==History==
The first attempt to light these waters was an [[acetylene]] [[lantern]] placed on the [[Spanish Islands]], just off the southern end of Kuiu Island. The lantern was proved ineffective and consequently Congress appropriated $59,400 in 1929 for a lighthouse and construction began in September of that year. However, weather and inadequate funds delayed the completion of the station until it finally became active in March 1932. The total cost ended up in excess of $150,000. The lighthouse became automated in 1974 and in 1989 fire damaged the [[tram]], [[Dock (maritime)|dock]], [[boathouse]], hoist house, paint shed, and [[helipad]]. The original third order [[Fresnel lens]] was replaced in 1996 with solar powered aero beacon. The lens is on display in [[Clausen Museum]] in the nearby community of [[Petersburg, Alaska|Petersburg]].

The lighthouse was added to the [[List of Registered Historic Places in Alaska|National Register of Historic Places]] in 2005.<ref name=nris/><ref name=nrhpdoc>{{cite web|url={{NRHP url|id=04001568}} |title=National Register of Historic Places Inventory/Nomination: Cape Decision Light Station |author= |date= |publisher=National Park Service}} and {{NRHP url|id=04001568|title=accompanying photos|photos=y}}</ref>

It is currently an active aid to [[navigation]].  The lighthouse is currently owned and maintained by the Cape Decision Lighthouse Society.

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
*{{Commons category-inline|Cape Decision Lighthouse}}
*[https://capedecisionlight.org Cape Decision Lighthouse Society]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20071013165802/http://lighthousefriends.com/light.asp?ID=824 Cape Decision Lighthouse] at Lighthouse Friends
*{{Cite uscghist|AK}}
*{{Cite rowlett|ak}}
*{{HAER |survey=AK-56 |id=ak0581 |title=Cape Decision Light Station, South Kuiu Island on Sumner Strait, Petersburg, Wrangell-Petersburg Census Area, AK |photos=47 |cap=4}}

{{Lighthouses of Alaska}}
{{NRHP in Alaska by borough and census area}}
{{National Register of Historic Places}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:1932 establishments in Alaska]]
[[Category:Art Deco architecture in Alaska]]
[[Category:Historic American Engineering Record in Alaska]]
[[Category:Historic districts on the National Register of Historic Places in Alaska]]
[[Category:Lighthouses completed in 1932]]
[[Category:Lighthouses in Unorganized Borough, Alaska]]
[[Category:Lighthouses on the National Register of Historic Places in Alaska]]
[[Category:Buildings and structures on the National Register of Historic Places in Prince of Wales–Hyder Census Area, Alaska]]