Point Wilson Lighthouse

In the 19th and early 20th centuries, the entrance of the main route to Puget Sound, the Admiralty Inlet, was marked by the Point Wilson Lighthouse. It was built at Point Wilson, 2 miles (3.21 km) northwest of Port Townsend, in the year 1879, and stood as a wooden light tower on the roof of the station keeper’s house. It was a replacement of the steam fog whistle that was installed in the early 1870’s by the federal Lighthouse board for the mariners of importunate fogs.

In 1879, this 46-foot (14.02 m) frame tower used to throw a fixed white light with a red flash shown every 20 seconds. This light was visible up to a distance of 13 miles (20.92 km). Later, in 1894, this fixed light was replaced by a rotating apparatus. It was in 1913 that the Point Wilson Lighthouse was finally upgraded by the United States Lighthouse Service. Today, this automated lighthouse is monitored and maintained by the Coast Guard Air Station at Port Angeles. The grounds and the buildings are looked after by the local Coast Guard Auxiliary.
The Point Wilson Lighthouse is now about 51 feet (15.5 m) high (49-foot tower plus the keeper’s dwelling). In fact, it is the tallest in Puget Sound. This lighthouse has an octagonal shape that helps to minimize the wind pressure. It is focused over 270 degrees of sea by a fourth order Frensel lens. It first shows a white light on for 15 seconds, then off for 5 seconds, and a red flash during this period of occultation.

This lighthouse, situated in Fort Worden State park near Port Townsend, Washington, links the Strait of Juan de Fuca to Puget Sound. It is, therefore, the most important navigational aids in Washington.  It is well preserved and is on the Washington State Heritage Register and the National Register of Historic Places. One can approach the Coast Guard for special arrangements of tours of the lighthouse grounds at Fort Worden State Park.

In order to reach the Point Wilson Lighthouse, you need to first enter Fort Worden, which is 1.6 miles (2.6 km) down the Cherry Street. Once in Fort Worden, turn right on Eisenhower Avenue, and then left on the Harbor Defense Way. Follow the latter 0.8 miles (1.3 km) to the Point Wilson Lighthouse.

• Address: 200 Battery Way, Port Townsend, WA 98368
• Telephone: (206) 903-0245
• Hours: May - Sept; Sat, 1 - 4 PM, contact owner for admission