The lighthouses here predates the US purchase of Alaska from Russia in the Seward purchase, who had erected a light at Sitka, in Baranof Castle on Castle Hill. Later, this light was found unnecessary and discontinued, but was taken over by the army and maintained by them until 1877.

The first lighthouses built in the state were erected in 1902, however, most early lights were rebuilt later sometime before 1940 in a distinctive Art Deco style, with the only surviving light from the earlier group is the Eldred Rock Light. The last light constructed were replacements for the lights on Unimak Island in 1950.

Alaska has both the northernmost and westernmost lighthouses in the United States, as well as some of the most isolated ones that exist.

The keepers who lived and worked at the Cape Sarichef and Scotch Cap Lights on Unimak Island in the Aleutians were not permitted to bring their families to the station, and served four years before getting an entire year of leave.

Cape Sarichef received no supplies from August 1912 to June 1913 and both Cape Sarichef and Scotch Cap Lights shut down in the winter due to sea ice.

Scotch Cap was also the site of the worst lighthouse disaster in US history, when it was destroyed by a tsunami in the 1946 Aleutian Islands earthquake, killing all five coast guard men that was stationed there.

Black Rock Light, 1917, Access: boat

Cape Decision Light, 1932, Access: boat, float plane, or helicopter

Cape Hinchinbrook Light, 1910, 1932, Access:

Cape St. Elias Light, 1916, Access: boat or helicopter

Cape Spencer Light, 1925, in Glacier Bay NP. Access: boat or floatplane

Eldred Rock Light, 1906, Access: boat or float plane

Fairway Island Light, 1904, Access: boat

Five Finger Islands Light, 1902, 1935, Access: ferry

Guard Island Light, 1904, 1924, Access: car

Homer Spit, 1960, Access; car

Lincoln Rock Light, 1903, 1944, Access: boat, demolished 1968

Mary Island Light, 1903, 1937, Access; plane

Point Retreat Light, 1904, 1923, Access: ferry

Point Sherman Light, 1904, 1981,

Scotch Cap Light, 1903, 1950, Active

Sentinel Island Light, 1902, 1935, can be rented overnight

Tree Point Light, 1904, 1935, Access: boat or float plain

Homer Spit faux Light,

Odiak Pharos private Light, 1970

Rockwell Light private Light, 1985, Access: boat, rentable

Tenakee Springs private Light,

Cape Sarichef Light, 1904, 1934, Destroyed 1999