Washington Lights | North Head Lighthouse

North Head Lighthouse • Ilwaco, WA

Of all the lighthouses that I have visited, I would have to pick North Head as my favorite. Standing atop a 130 foot cliff overlooking the Pacific, it is a truly magnificent light. It is quite isolated with nothing surrounding it but wilderness. Even the lightkeepers house is at least a quarter mile away. I visited on a sunny afternoon in September 1999, and just had to return to enjoy it at sunset. If you visit only one Washington state light, make it North Head.

• H I S T O R Y •

Established in 1898, North Head Lighthouse was erected where Cape Disappointment was meant to be. Because Cape Disappointment was mistakenly placed 3 miles south, shipwrecks were still occurring in the area around where North Head Light now stands. The First Order Fresnel was removed from the Cape Disappointment lighthouse and installed in North Head. Later, it was replaced with a weaker Fourth Order Fresnel. The First Order lens was put on display at the Lewis & Clark interpretive center.

• A T T R I B U T E S •

Location:	On the Long Beach peninsula, north of the mouth to the Columbia River, and 3 miles north of Cape Disappointment Light.
Form:	Conical tower
Composition:	Dressed stone w/ brick lining
Markings:	White with a red roof
Height:	65 feet
Present Optic:	VRB-25
Original Optic:	First Order Fresnel (in the 1930's this was replaced with a Fourth Order Fresnel)
Focal Plane:	194 feet above sea level

• S T A T U S •

North Head Lighthouse is owned and managed by the U.S. Coast Guard. It is located inside Fort Canby State park and is open to the public. A trip up to the lantern room and hurricane deck is a $3 fee. The light guards one of the windiest spots on the Pacific coast, with winds sometimes exceeding 150 mph. North Head 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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