Tatoosh Island Lighthouse, Olympic Peninsula Washington
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On March 22nd, 1778, Captain James Cook discovered and named Cape Flattery. Manuel Quimper called it "Punta de Martinez" in 1790. It was also known as Cape Classet and Tutusi by the early fur traders. The original name given by Cook was retained by Vancouver on his chart in 1792. Probably no lighthouse along the the Pacific Coast is more isolated than is that of Tatoosh Island. Even in present times, it is necessary to drive to Neah Bay, a Makah Indian village, and from there go by boat to the island. The lighthouse on Tatoosh Island is the guiding one for ships passing Cape Flattery en route into the Strait of Juan. de Fuca. In the early years, the light station was of supreme importance as keepers reported ships standing offshore waiting for a pilot or for tugs to tow them into the Strait. Tatoosh Lighthouse has stood guard over the entrance to Juan de Fuca Strait, the busiest waterway on the Pacific Northwest coast of this continent, and although it stands on United States Territory it has close associations with the early history of British Columbia, Canada. Tatoosh Lighthouse marks the end of the boundary from the 49th parallel to the Pacific Ocean, as agreed upon by the United States and Canada, as proclaimed on July 1st, 1908. The point of reference is the pinnacle or culmination of the roof of the lantern. Geographic position of mark was determined by J.J. Gilbert, U.S. Coast and Geodetic Survey, 1893.
Tatoosh Light is a stormy, isolated station whose welcoming light has shown from sunset to dawn every night for over a century.
Site Description
Tatoosh Island forms the nucleus of a group of isolated rocks three-quarters of a mile off Cape Flattery at the northern tip of the Olympic Peninsula. This was a summer home for some Makah Indians who grew potatoes on the island and built their houses and fish-drying racks along its rocky sides.
In 1850, the U.S. Congress passed an Act to set aside $53,140 to erect lighthouses at Cape Disappointment, Cape Flattery and New Dungeness, Washington.
A U.S. Coast survey team led by George Davidson examined Tatoosh Island and found a suitable place for the structure on the highest point, 100 feet above high water. The island rises perpendicularly and has only one landing place for boats; at a narrow beach on its eastern side. Ascent to the top was by means of a path and rude steps cut in the bank until a derrick was erected by the lighthouse construction crew to hoist materials up the cliff from the beach. Personnel and provisions also go up in the hoist.
The station was completed and in commission by December, 1857, but constant fear of the Indians caused the first keepers to quit one after another, and not until late in the following year was the light in constant use. It was 20 years before white women were permitted to live on the island.
The white conical tower rises above a grey stone building. Blocks of Bellingham stone two feet thick were used for the lower portion of the tower. The height of the tower is 64 feet which places it above sea level at 162 feet. Another building lies 72 feet to the northeast. The fog whistle is a 12-inch steam whistle, giving a blast of eight seconds of intervals of 52 seconds. Still in use are the original Fresnel lens and fittings. A plate inscription at the base of the tower reads: "Fresnel light, first order, constructed by order of Honorable the Secretary of Treasury of the United States and the Lighthouse Board. W. A. Bartlett, Lieutenant, U.S. Navy, Special Superintendent. Louis Sautter and Co., constructors, Paris, France, 1854". Lard oil was used as an illuminate until around 1866 when kerosene lamps were installed, later replaced by acetylene lamps in 1896, and finally electricity.
All of the water the people on the island drink or use is rainwater caught from the roofs of the buildings and piped into large storage tanks.
Looking towards the Southeast from the Strait (1940)
Beach located on the eastern side of the island (1890)
