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2004 Point Loma Lighthouse Birthday Monday Nov 15, 2004 10 am~5 pm Superintendent Terry DiMattio announced today that "the National Park Service invites everyone to a birthday celebration in honor of the 149th anniversary of the first lighting of the Old Point Loma Lighthouse, in what promises to be a full day of fun and learning for the entire family.” The celebration will take place on Monday, November 15, 2004 from 10:00 AM until 5:00 PM at Cabrillo National Monument on Point Loma. Planned for the day's festivities are living history, tours of the Old Point Loma Lighthouse from 10:00 AM until 5:00 PM and birthday cake, served at the monument’s visitor center at 2:30 PM  This annual event is one of two each year when the tower of the Old Lighthouse is opened to the public and is always a crowd pleaser.  This will be the first anniversary celebration since the lighthouse grounds restoration project was completed last December and the lighthouse reopened. Stated DiMattio, “last year, we were unable to hold this event because of the construction to restore the grounds to resemble their appearance in the 1880s when the lighthouse was an active navigational aid.  The lighthouse was closed then, making this year extra special.  This is an excellent opportunity to learn what life was like for the Lighthouse Keepers and Assistant Keepers and their families at the Old Point Loma Lighthouse during the 1880s and about the role that the lighthouse played in the development of San Diego and California ’s early maritime commerce.  Visitors will be able to enjoy the spectacular harbor and ocean vista and the restored lighthouse grounds including the interpretive shelter reminiscent of the former Assistant Keeper’s Quarters next door to the lighthouse.  Though not yet open to the public, that building is being prepared to house new, interactive exhibits about the lighthouse that are scheduled to open to the public on March 23, 2005, the anniversary of the closing of the Old Lighthouse and opening of the New Point Loma Lighthouse, still operated by the United States Coast Guard.  This event will be enjoyed by lighthouse aficionados and those interested in local history, as well as families looking for a fun and educational time together." Cabrillo National Monument , located on Point Loma at the end of Catalina Boulevard , is open daily from 9:00 AM until 5:15 PM .  For additional information call 619-557-5450 or TTY 619-222-8211, or visit our web site at http://www.nps.gov/cabr/.