Admiralty Head Light

Admiralty Head Light

Admiralty Head Light
Location Coupeville, Washington
Coordinates 48°9′38.75″N 122°40′52.2″W / 48.1607639°N 122.681167°WCoordinates: 48°9′38.75″N 122°40′52.2″W / 48.1607639°N 122.681167°W
Year first constructed 1903
Year first lit 1903
Deactivated 1922
Foundation Surface
Construction Brick and stucco
Tower shape Conical, with an attached Spanish-style structure, 2-story residence
Markings / pattern white brick tower with black lantern
Height 30 feet (9.1 m) (120 feet (37 m) above sea level)
Original lens Fourth order Fresnel lens (removed in 1927)

The Admiralty Head Light is a lighthouse located in Fort Casey State Park near Coupeville on Whidbey Island, Washington.

Admiralty Head is the east entrance point of Admiralty Inlet and the southeast extremity of a succession of light bare bluffs which extend north of Point Partridge, where they attain their highest elevation.

History

In 1858 the United States purchased 10 acres (4.0 ha) of land costing $400 for the location of the lighthouse.[1] The original lighthouse was completed during the months just prior to the Civil War and was among the West's earliest navigational aids. It had a fourth order Fresnel lens, and the light could be seen sixteen miles away. This light welcomed Puget Sound marine traffic to Admiralty Inlet. In 1890, with construction of the fort to protect Admiralty Inlet, the light was relocated, relinquishing the building and site to the U.S. Army. The original Red Bluff wooden lighthouse was moved to make room for soldiers and guns in Fort Casey.[1]

The replacement lighthouse, constructed of brick and stucco, was built in 1903 but was discontinued in 1922.[1] It was designed by Carl Leick to withstand the concussion of Fort Casey's guns.[2] During its later occupancy by the Army, the lighthouse was used as a training facility for the K-9 dog program.[3]

Restoration

The lighthouse was deactivated in 1922, and the lantern moved to the New Dungeness Lighthouse in 1927. The 30-foot (9.1 m) tall lighthouse has since been restored by the Washington State Parks and is sponsored by the "Lighthouse Environmental Program"(LEP), a collaborative function between Washington State University's Extension Office and local environmental programs.[1] Admiralty Head Lighthouse is open to the public throughout the year.

In 1990, the U.S. Postal Service issued a 25 cent stamp featuring the Admiralty Head Light.[4]

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 "History of Admiralty Head Lighthouse". Washington State University. Retrieved 2 December 2013.
  2. ↑ "Admiralty Head Lighthouse". History Link. Retrieved 2 December 2013.
  3. ↑ "Admiralty Head Washington". Lighthouse Friends. Retrieved 2 December 2013.
  4. ↑ "Stamp Series". United States Postal Service. Retrieved Sep 2, 2013.

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Admiralty Head Lighthouse.

 This article incorporates public domain material from websites or documents of the United States Coast Guard.