El Semáforo was built in 1895 to monitor maritime activity and weather conditions for ships passing through the Canary Islands. Its location in the Anaga Rural Park provided an excellent vantage point to watch for approaching vessels, whether friendly or hostile.

Before the semaphore station, watchmen had been stationed here since 1506, using smoke and fire signals to warn of threats from British, Dutch, French, Berber, and American ships. The first official electric semaphore was installed in 1893, and it officially began operation on December 4, 1895. It communicated with the Navy Command, located 9.7 km away, using a matching observatory tower and signal mast.

The main building was constructed with funding from Hamilton & Co. and included:

• A rectangular main structure
• Attached houses for guards
• A separate observatory building
• Two cisterns for water storage
• An outdoor bread oven

The mast was 16 meters tall, featuring a twelve-point crosshead for flag signals. It transmitted information about ship nationality and type.

By 1970, the semaphore became obsolete due to advances in maritime communications. It was handed over to national heritage authorities but received no legal protection. In 2015, it was added to the Red List of Cultural Heritage due to its deteriorating condition. The roof collapsed in 2012, and the site has suffered vandalism, fires, and structural damage.