Bahamas Government

San Salvador Island, Bahamas

“In these waters, on October 12, 1492, Columbus dropped anchor, North Latitude 24° 1’ 41’’ Longitude 74° 32’ 11’’.

The Peace Light Tower for San Salvador Island was meant to straddle the waters on which historians think Christopher Columbus dropped anchor on October 12, 1492. In this same location, the year before, in preparation for the 500th anniversary of Columbus anchorage in San Salvador, John Vassar House had installed his Columbus underwater marker sculpture to be placed permanently on the ocean floor, at the depth of 12 feet (3,60 meters in crystal clear sea.

Sculptor John Vassar House designed three different lighthouses during his career. Starting in the 1970’s, John Vassar House showed a great interest in geographical markers, sundials and in lighthouses. Above the pinnacle of the 170 meters high lighthouse would be a light shining brightly in the cause of peace.

The 1,50-meter cast bronze model replica was placed in the location of the Peace Light Tower to raise funds to cover the costs of construction.