Keeper of the light…
A late afternoon view of this pretty little light house on Maury Island (connected to Vashon Island by the thinnest of necks) is a classic. Built in 1885, originally as a fog horn station, the twelve inch steam whistle (or horn) and boiler came from Oregon’s Point Adams Light at the mouth of the Columbia River. This 126 year old horn is still part of the lighthouse today, but the sound emitted these days during the fog is from a new one. The gallery and lightroom still stand proudly atop the forty foot tall octagonal tower built in 1915 replacing a wooden tower that had been built in 1887. The fifth generation Fresnel lens casts its beacon of safety for twelve miles, on for three seconds and off for one. The lighthouse at Alki Point in West Seattle is identical to this one at Point Robinson. Point Robinson was automated in 1978, and Alki Point in 1984.
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Nice info, I like the colors here.
Thanks…It is a peaceful place on the eastern shore of Maury Island, and even though you are close in miles to downtown Seattle, it feels far removed…
I love how all lights are unique unto themselves. No exception here.
Yes… I keep thinking I need to do a day (or couple days) trip to shoot all the lights in Washington state.
Very interesting to visit your blog. With each post you find something very unique and beautiful!
Thank you,Sailor!
Nice shot, Madge. Its a shame that automation took over the job of the lighthouse keepers. It was one of those jobs when I was in the Coast Guard you dreamed of having. In the mid 80s I helped closed one of the last manned lighthouse here in Connecticut. Another way of life gone to our memories.
I agree, Bruce… the USCG still plays a role (although I’m not sure of the extent) at the Alki Point Light. They have tours on Saturdays… duh, I keep forgetting to go!
beautiful – perfect light!
It IS one of those that looks classic, small-ish but classic in its beauty!
Great shot Madge! So different from the lighthouses you see back east.
Most of ours on the coast look different, taller and what you would typically expect. This one lights a point inside Puget Sound… I’d love to shoot some on the east coast… someday… perhaps.
This is a beautiful capture, Madge. Gorgeous and I love the square angles to this lighthouse. Wonderful!
Thanks, Nancy… the light was just right…
Lighthouses are such a treasure. Very nice photo.
Thanks, Denise… ;-)
I like a nice lighthouse pic also Madge – well done on this one, good low angle.
Thanks, Paul… how many are on Vancouver Island??
No idea Madge, Powell River is on the mainland! :D
Really??? I wonder why I thought you were up by Nanaimo…
Very nice shot… i love that blue sky! I’d love to photograph lighthouses, but I’d have to move to the coast to do so! =)
Thanks… who knows, maybe you will! :-)
Beautiful shot — looks like a perfect day for a lighthouse portrait. Wouldn’t it be fun to get to all the WA lighthouses? But they’re not all very easily reached. New Dungeness Lighthouse is a five-mile trek (each way!) on a sandy beach if you don’t get there by boat and the one at Neah Bay is on Tatoosh Island.
I agree Kay… I’ve thought about shooting them all several times… maybe the light at Dungeness we just need to have really, really, really long lens! Ha, ha! ;-)
What a great light and history.
It is a peaceful place..
What a beautiful little lighthouse!
It IS that, thanks Lisa! :-)
I don’t think I have ever seen a light house other than movies or photos. This one is sure in good shape. Thanks for sharing.
It is kept up very well, as it still serves our maritime community… Oh, I hope you get out to the coast someday to see some lighthouses! They are special…
great Lighthouse Madge. You have a great blog. I have always wanted to visit your part of the world across the big Pacific Ocean.
Thanks, Mark… I’d like to get down your way someday too!
Beautiful little lighthouse, it looks well maintained.
Yes, it is… it serves our maritime community well…
I would like to have the time and energy to visit the lighhouses in Washington and Oregon. Thanks for sharing the information and great photo. The contract between the red roof and the beautiful blue sky really make the lighthouse stand out.
Jim
I’d like to so that too… but some are a bit difficult to get to… like the one out on Tatoosh Island, only accessible by boat…
Interesting post-love the history. And you should so frame this one : )
Thanks, Tipper… I really should frame some of my images… ;-)