Washington Lights | Cape Flattery Lighthouse

Cape Flattery Lighthouse • Tatoosh Island, WA

Also known as Tatoosh Island Light, the Cape Flattery Lighthouse is situated on Tatoosh Island just off the northwestern-most point of Washington's Olympic peninsula. Observation platforms have been built on the edge of the peninsula for a better view of the island and lighthouse.

• H I S T O R Y •

In 1854 Congress allocated $39,000 for construction of the Cape Flattery Lighthouse on Tatoosh Island (named in 1788 for Chief Tatooche of the Makah Indians). The light was first lit in 1857 and was Washington Territory's third lighthouse. The original First Order Fresnel lens was replaced by a Fourth Order Fresnel lens in 1932; then later with a modern beacon light in 1977; and replaced once again in 1996. A weather station was also constructed on the island, but was demolished in 1966. The light was automated in in 1977 and renovated by the Coast Guard in 1994 and again in 1999.

• A T T R I B U T E S •

Location:	On Tatoosh Island, approx. one half mile off Cape Flattery, the northwestern tip of the Olympic Penninsula.
Year built:	1857
Form:	Cylindrical Tower, integral to quarters
Composition:	Sandstone & Brick
Markings:	White w/ a red roof, black upper roof
Height:	65 feet
Present Optic:	VRB-25
Original Optic:	First Order Fresnel
Focal Plane:	165 feet above sea level

• S T A T U S •

Tatoosh Island is property of the Makah Indian Nation, but the lighthouse is owned by the US Coast Guard. The light still serves as an active aid to navigation and is operated by the Coast Guard.

• D I R E C T I O N S •

From Seattle: Take I-5 North or WA-99 to WA-104 (Exit 177 from I-5). Head Northwest on WA-104 to Kingston-Edmonds Ferry. Take the ferry west across the sound to WA-104. Follow WA-104, crossing the Hood Canal bridge. WA-101 becomes US-101. Follow US-101 to US-113, and then north to US-112. Follow US-112 west to Neah Bay (the Makah Indian Reservation). Proceed west about 5 miles to the Cape Flattery Trail. The Cape Flattery Trail is a foot path that leads to the tip of the cape (about 3/4 of a mile), where several lookout platforms are located for viewing Tatoosh Island and the Cape Flattery Lighthouse.

• W A L L P A P E R •

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