West Point Lighthouse, Fort Lawton Washington
- Categories:
- Washington
- Lighthouse
Located on the east side of Puget Sound about five miles northwest of the Commercial District of Seattle, West Point Light was established in 1881. This tip of land marks the northern turning point for shipping from Puget Sound into Elliot Bay, The Port of Seattle. With the construction of the Lake Washington Ship Canal in 1915, the light achieved greater significance for it marks the turning point to Shilshole Bay. The lens at West Point is a fourth-order Fresnel revolving type with twelve bullseyes. It was manufactured by the French firm of L. SAUTTER, LEMONNIER ET CIE., A Paris, and is so marked. The source of illumination is now an electric bulb rather than the original oil lamp.
The guest register still in use at the station was initiated in 1895. Famous American visitors as well as foreign dignitaries have entered their names in its pages over the ensuing years. The station, manned since its establishment, was automated in 1984.
The original description of the charts and data concerning the site (dated 1867) is still on file at the CG District 13 Headquarters.
Site Description
The square stuccoed brick masonry tower (10 feet on a side) rises to a bracketed catwalk 19 feet above grade. The octagonal lantern is fitted with eight rectangular clear glass panes. The pyramidal lantern roof is surmounted by a ball ventilator.
The attached fog signal building extends to the west and is reached through a doorway from the tower over which the date "1881" appears. This structure is quite similar to Point No Point Light and in both of these stations, the fog signal buildings are additions dating from 1900.
The fog signal structure has segmental arches over window openings with projecting keystones. The office has a gabled wood shingled roof with decorative wood trim in the east gable. The interior trim is substantially intact throughout.
Present Color Scheme: Grey green: lantern roof, railings, window arches, frames, sash and sills Red: roofs Dark Blue Grey: base below watertable White: stucco walls
Light Characteristics: white, 0.6 second flash
Light List #2282
Eclipse: 4.4 seconds white
Red: 0.6 second flash
Eclipse: 4.4 seconds red
Lens Size: 4th order
Lamp Volts: 120
Candlepower: 16,000 white 7,000 red
Watts: 500 W
Filament Type: CC-8
Range: 6 miles
Associated nearby structures include:
Metal sheathed oil storage house.
Two frame keepers dwellings.
