Washington Lights | Point Wilson Lighthouse

Point Wilson Lighthouse • Port Townsend, WA

Overlooking the Strait of Juan de Fuca, Point Wilson Lighthouse sits on the north side of the Olympic peninsula. Views of Mount Rainer, Mount Baker, and the Olympic Mountain Range are spectacular from this point. I visited and photographed Point Wilson Lighthouse in August 1999.

• H I S T O R Y •

This light station's original tower was built in 1879. The current tower replaced the original in 1914, but the keeper's quarters (also 1879) are still standing. The first lightkeeper was civil war veteran David M. Littlefield, at an annual salary of $800. Littlefield was later elected mayor of Port Townsend.

• A T T R I B U T E S •

Location:	North side of the Olympic peninsula, marks the west entrance to Admiralty Inlet.
Year built:	1914 (original tower built 1879)
Form:	Octoganal tower
Composition:	Masonry and concrete
Markings:	White w/ a red roof
Height:	46 feet
Present Optic:	Fourth Order Fresnel
Original Optic:	Fourth Order Fresnel, still in place
Focal Plane:	51 feet above sea level
Visibility:	13 miles

• S T A T U S •

Point Wilson light is open to public as part of Fort Worden State Park. Tours are available on Wednesday afternoons only. The light is still an active navigational aid and the keepers quarters are inhabited by Coast Guard personnel.

• 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, to WA-19. Head north on WA-19 to WA-20 and then follow WA-20 north into Port Townsend. Follow the signs for Fort Worden State Park. Once inside the park, you will see signs for the lighthouse.

• W A L L P A P E R •

Click on an image to the left to see the 640x480 size version. You can then right-click on the larger image and select "Set as wallpaper." If your screen resolution is greater than 640x480 use the "stretch" feature in Windows to expand the image to cover your entire desktop. More wallpaper...