Mukilteo Light Station, Mukilteo Washington

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The point on which Mukilteo Light Station is built was the site of a treaty meeting between Governor Isaac Stevens and the Indians in 1856. The site was established as a light station in 1906 and a facility designed by C. W. Leick constructed. Mukilteo is the sole remaining of several structures of similar type constructed in the area. Among these were Ediz Hook (1906) and the second light at Cape Arago, Oregon.

Part of the original complex was a windmill which was built over one of the few wells which supplied water for the needs of the growing community. This structure is now gone, but is highly visible in early photographs.

The first entry in the guest register, which remains at the station, is dated 16^th March 1906.

Original plans still on file at the 13^th District HQ as are the original specs for the light and fog signal building dated June 1905. Specs for the 4^th order lens (1898) are also still on file.

Site Description

The structure consists of a tower and a connected engine house, both of which are frame construction. The tower base is square, twenty feet on a side, and rises one story to a decorative parallel band. Above this band, triangular squinches effect a transition to an octagonal plan. Below the walkway is a flourish of decorative bracketing, vertically supporting the lantern and railing. Unfortunately, the original wood railing has been replaced by a plain metal one. The metal octagonal lantern is glazed with large rectangular panes. The lens is of the fourth order and was manufactured by L. SUATTER & CIE, Paris.

As is the lower tower, the engine house is sheathed with drop siding with corner boards above a wood watertable. The upper tower is wood-shingled, though the original wood shingles on the pyramidal foor over the engine house have been covered with asbestos composite shingles. The apex of this roof is fitted with a cylindrical metal ventilator with a star finial.

The interior of the engine house has a Vee grooved board ceiling and walls, applied vertically below the chair rail and horizontally above. The circular openings through which the fog trumpets projected are readily discernible. The brass door hardware with engraved decorative elements are unusual.

There are two, story-and-a-half wood-framed keeper dwellings adjacent to the light which are contemporary and of a design that was used by the Lighthouse Service frequently at this period. Similar houses are found at New Dungeness and Alki Point.

A new electric fog signal has been constructed on the waterside near the tower.

Light Characteristics: white 2 sec flash every 5 sec
Light List #2488
Range: 15 miles
Heights: 33 feet over water, 30 feet over land
Fog Signal: a 3 sec blast every 30 seconds
4^th order electric 15,000 candlepower

Light and fog signal structure in center and two residences just behind (1962)

Light and fog signal structure on left and one of the residences on the right (1971)