Grays Harbor Lighthouse
The Grays Harbor Lighthouse (Westport Light) is located on Point Chehalis on the southern side of the entrance to Grays Harbor, Westport, Washington.
The 107-foot Grays Harbor Lighthouse is the tallest lighthouse in Washington and the third tallest on the West Coast. It marks the entrance to Grays Harbor, which is one of Washington’s few outer-coast harbors, and was first lit in 1898. Construction began in 1897, using plans drawn up by architect Carl Leick, at a site facing the Pacific Ocean about 400 feet from water’s edge. Massive amounts of accretion, due in large part to the jetty system at the entrance to Grays Harbor, have since built up, and the lighthouse now stands approximately 3,000 feet from high tide.
The base of the lighthouse rests on a 12-foot-thick foundation of sandstone. The lighthouse walls, which are four feet thick at the base, are made of brick with a coating of cement on the exterior. Originally windows lit the interior of the tower, but to cut down on maintenance they were cemented over when electricity was added to the station. One hundred thirty-five metal stairs bolted to the wall lead to the lantern room.
The light’s initial signature was a five-second white flash, darkness, then a five-second red flash. After electricity reached the lighthouse, the signature became white flashes followed by 15 seconds of darkness, then red flashes followed by 15 seconds of darkness. In August 1992, the original third order Fresnel lens was turned off. A smaller light (FA-251), manufactured in New Zealand, was mounted to the balcony. The new light operates on a 35 watt bulb and can be seen 19 miles with the white sector, 17 on the red sector. The original lens still occupies the lantern room.
In late 1960s, the Coast Guard automated the light. In 1977, the lighthouse achieved listing on the National Register of Historic Places. In 2004, under the National Historic Lighthouse Preservation Act of 2000, ownership was transferred to the Westport-South Beach Historical Society, which conducts regular tours. The light station is adjacent to Westport Light State Park.
What to Photograph
The historic Lighthouse is really the only thing to photograph at the site, but the area has much to offer.
Where it is:
Address
1020 Ocean Avenue
Westport, Washington
360-268-0078
Maps:
Interactive Google Map
Use the map + – controls to zoom in and out, click and drag the to move the map, use the Map drop-down to change to “Map”, “Satellite”, “Hybrid”, or “Terrain” views. Drag the little man icon from the upper left corner to a map location for street level view.
GPS:
46°53’15.31″ N 124°6’59.992″ W
Cost:
Admission
The grounds and outside the lighthouse are free, the fee is to climb the tower.
All Climbers: $5
Active & Retired Coast Guard Free with Military ID
Must be at least 5 years old and 40″ tall to climb
Hours:
SUMMER
(June through August)
Open Daily 11 AM to 5 PM
AUTUMN
(September and October)
Open Thursday through Monday 12 PM to 4 PM
Closed Tuesday and Wednesday
WINTER
November: By appointment only
December and January: CLOSED
SPRING
(February through May 31st)
Open Thursday through Monday 12 to 4 PM
Closed Tuesday and Wednesday
Hours may vary. Please call 360.268.0078
Location Contact Information:
Grays Harbor
Lighthouse Photo Gallery
Click Here for full page gallery
More Photographic Destinations in Washington:
Interactive Google Map
Use the map + – controls to zoom in and out, use the Map drop-down to change to “Map”, “Satellite”, “Hybrid”, or “Terrain” views. Drag the little man icon from the upper left corner to a map location for street level view. Click on a pushpin for more information about the Photographic Destination, then click on the title to go to the location page.
Click Here for Photographic Destinations by State
Great Places for Great Photos
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Greg Disch is a freelance photographer located in Arkansas. Greg specializes in nature, scenic, wildlife, and other outdoor subjects in Arkansas and other areas of the country. Most of the images on this site are available for sale as prints, personal use, or rights managed stock photos.
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