Admiralty Head Light

Admiralty Head Light

Admiralty Head Light
Location	Coupeville, Washington
Coordinates	48°09′38.75″N 122°40′52.2″W
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 ft (120 ft 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 (40,000 m²) of land costing $400 for the location of the lighthouse. 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 demolished to make room for soldiers and guns in Fort Casey.

The replacement lighthouse, constructed of brick and stucco, was built in 1903 but was discontinued in 1922. It was the last brick lighthouse designed by renowned German architect Carl Leick. During its later occupancy by the Army, the lighthouse was used as a training facility for the K-9 dog program.

Restoration

The lighthouse was deactivated in 1922, and the lantern moved to the New Dungeness Lighthouse in 1927. The 30 foot (9 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. Admiralty Head Lighthouse is open to the public throughout the year.

External links

• Admiralty Head Lighthouse home page
• Beachwatchers home page
• National Park Service - Historic light stations - Admiralty Head Light
• "Historic Light Station Information and Photography: Washington". United States Coast Guard Historian's Office. http://www.uscg.mil/history/weblighthouses/LHWA.asp. 

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