Camera Obscura
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Why it's listed
Perched on a lower terrace behind the Cliff House at Point Lobos, this small wooden building contains a camera obscura that has operated continuously since 1946. A rotating lens and mirror on the roof, driven by a small motor, cast a live panoramic image of the Pacific Ocean, Seal Rocks, Ocean Beach and the Marin coastline onto a six-foot parabolic table in a darkened room. Businessman Floyd Jennings, fascinated by the device after reading about it, proposed the attraction to Cliff House owner George K. Whitney Sr., who approved its construction. Around 1957 the exterior was remodeled to look like a giant camera, and later changes include a copper-sheathed hood, a new sign and replacement front doors. The property was listed for its engineering significance: the original table, lens and mirror remain in place and work as they did when installed, making it a rare surviving example of this machinery in its original setting.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues it is significant under Criterion C in the area of engineering as a rare example of camera obscura machinery more than 50 years old that remains in its original location. The original projection table, lens and mirror survive and operate as they did in 1946. The 1957 "giant camera" exterior remodeling is not judged to lessen its integrity.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 01000522, listed May 23, 2001. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 1096 Point Lobos Ave., San Francisco |
|---|---|
| County | San Francisco |
| Listed | May 23, 2001 |
| Reference number | 01000522 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1946 |
| Architect / builder | Floyd Jennings (Builder) |
| Architectural style | no style |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Engineering |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | In continuous operation since 1946; open daily, weather permitting, from 11:00 a.m. to sunset. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 37.77845, -122.51399 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
National Register listing is honorary: it recognises significance and does not restrict what a private owner may do without federal money or permits. It unlocks the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit for income-producing buildings, state credits in many states, and Section 106 review when federal agencies are involved. See what listing means in practice.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 01000522.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q5025996
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.