Washington Lights | Cape Disappointment Lighthouse

Cape Disappointment Lighthouse • Ilwaco, WA

I visited this light in September 1999 on the same day that I visited North Head Light, just 3 miles north. Cape Disappointment sits atop a very steep bluff that provides for some magnificent views of the sea and of adjacent cliffs. The path to the light is bordered by dense forest and I encountered some deer on my walk up the hill.

• H I S T O R Y •

Built in 1856, Cape Disappointment was the first lighthouse in the state of Washington. It was originally intended to be located 3 miles farther north, but when the lens and other building supplies were mistakenly delivered to North Point Island, the light was built there. The location proved to be insufficient for mariners coming from the north and North Head Light was later built on the site where Cape Disappointment was supposed to have been. The original First Order Fresnel lens was was moved to North Head Light in 1898 and replaced with a Fourth Order Barbier & Bernard.

• A T T R I B U T E S •

Location:	On North Point Island, north of the mouth to the Columbia River.
Year built:	1856
Form:	Conical tower
Composition:	Dressed stone
Markings:	White w/ a black band
Height:	53 feet
Present Optic:	Fourth Order Barbier & Bernard
Original Optic:	First Order Fresnel
Focal Plane:	220 feet above sea level

• S T A T U S •

Cape Disappointment Lighthouse is owned and managed by the U.S. Coast Guard. It is located inside Fort Canby State park and the grounds are open to the public. It can only be reached by a walk up a very steep hill. The light still serves as an active navigational aid.

• D I R E C T I O N S •

From Seattle: Head south on I-5 to US-101 (Exit 104). Follow US-101 to WA-8. Follow WA-8 to WA-12. Follow WA-12 to WA-107. Follow WA-107 to US-101. Take US-101 into Ilwaco and follow the signs for Fort Canby State Park.

From Portland: Head north on I-5 to WA-432. Head west on WA-432 to WA-433. Follow WA-433 to an unmarked local road. Follow this road to US-30, and then take US-30 to US-101. Take US-101 into Ilwaco and follow the signs for Fort Canby State Park..

• W A L L P A P E R •

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