Battery Point Lighthouse was built in 1856 at the cost of $15,000. It was the 10th Lighthouse built on the west coast and is one of the 16 Cape Cod style lighthouses that were built in the 1800's. At that time, it was known as the Crescent City Light Station.

The first keeper was Theophilis Magruder. He started Christmas Day, 1856. The last keeper was Wayne R. Philand, who served at the time of automation and was transferred in 1953.

The beacon continued under automation, with the Coast Guard, until it was decommissioned August 11, 1965.

The beacon was dark until December, 1982 when it was reactivated as a private aid to navigation. It is charted and must be on live each night. In case of malfunction, the Coast Guard is notified at once so it can broadcast the outage to mariners. To this day there is still a keeper in residence.

The tower was restored in 1987, funded by a Coastal Conservancy Grant and a donation from GTE.