"Most people only know of Alcatraz because of the prison," executive director of the United States Lighthouse Society Jeff Gales tells the Mercury News, "but it has a rich maritime and lighthouse service history." The small island is home to California's oldest lighthouse, opened in 1854 and rebuilt in 1909. "This lighthouse has stood guard while California's development happened right around it," Gales notes.

Up 124 iron steps, standing at over 90 feet tall, and perched 214 feet above the Bay waters, the lighthouse is an impressive landmark. However, it's also a troubled one. The structure has been in disrepair for some time, closed to the public save the occasional private tour. It still bears scorch marks from a fire during the famous 1970 occupation of the island by Native Americans.

“There are a lot of structural items that need to be fixed," Gales told the Chronicle. But a new $25,000 structural report funded by an unexpected benefactor could eventually open it to an eager public — the Rock, after all, is among the top tourist destinations in the country and, for that matter, the world. "We would like to see this building turned into what it was when it was new,” said Gales.

Among a recent private tour of the lighthouse facility was Federica Marchionni, CEO of Lands' End. The Wisconsin clothier was founded by an avid sailor and lighthouse enthusiast, and bears a lighthouse as its emblem.

In the past, the company has "adopted" the historic Block Island, R.I., lighthouse, paying for its new lantern and roof. Now they're footing the bill for the structural report at Alcatraz. "We want to save the beacon and make sure it is safe and available for future generations," said Marchionni, adding that "it is the most iconic lighthouse."

Gene Grulich, a Seattle architect specializing in historic restoration, has labored over 17 other lighthouses. This one is up next. On Alcatraz, he points to seismic concerns — the structures foundation goes down just three feet into the Rock's rock. That's a legacy of a different era — “Now we take earthquakes much more seriously,” he said.

The report will ultimately result in a cost estimate for a full rehabilitation of the structure, and that remains a big unknown.