Five Lighthouses in Five U.S. States

Image Credit:  pd photo 

The Lime Kiln Lighthouse sits on a low rocky cliff on the edge of San Juan Island, off the northwest coast of Washington state.  The island sits in the shipping lanes between Washington and Vancouver Island, British Columbia.

Lime Kiln's fog signal house was built in 1914, and the 38 ft octagonal light tower was added later, and first lit in 1919.  The light, visible for 17 miles, was automated in 1962.

Because it sits at the edge of waters designated as a whale sanctuary, today the light station is used as a base to study the movement and habits of orca whales.

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The picturesque Pigeon Point Lighthouse, at 115 feet, is one of two tallest lighthouses on the west coast of the US.  (The Point Arena Light is the same height.)

Designated as a California Historic Landmark, it was built in 1871, lit in 1872, and automated in 1974 - over 100 years later!

Although you can't climb the tower, which needs extensive repairs, you can actually stay overnight on the property. The four 3 bedroom houses that were originally for the lighthouse keepers are now used as youth hostels, with male and female bunk rooms.  (Family stays can also be arranged)

Photo by Azaelpitti07, CC by-SA 3.0

On Hatteras Island, part of North Carolina's Outer Banks, the Hatteras Light has been guarding the travels of ships through the Graveyard of the Atlantic since 1803, and it has quite a history!

Damaged during the civil war, a taller tower with a brighter light was built in 1871, and that year, it claimed the title as the highest brick lighthouse tower in the world.

Over the intervening years, the Hatteras Light has been struck by lightning, and encroached upon by the sea, and undermined by erosion.  

In a new location (since a meticulous move begun in 1999,) it now sits well back from the encroaching tide, and 210 feet above sea level.  With a beacon whose flash can be seen for at least 20 nautical miles, it still guides mariners, and welcomes visitors.  Go see it if you get a chance!

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The Portland Head Light is the oldest lighthouse in the state of Maine, and its automated beacon, visible for some 24 miles,  is still an aid to navigation, under the authority of the U.S. Coast Guard.  (The fog horn, too.)  As you can see from the picture, the coastline is plenty rocky there, so you can imagine how hazardous navigating along that coast can get... especially in fog!

It was George Washington himself who directed this lighthouse to be built!  Its beacon first penetrated the night in 1791.

Surprisingly, the powers that be decided that the Portland Head Light was less important when, in 1881,  another light was lit not far away.  So, they ordered Portland Head's tower to be shortened, and its lens replaced with a weaker one.  That only lasted two years... due to a sea of complaints from mariners!   Things were put right again  in 1883.

Today, you can enjoy a maritime museum that is housed in what was once the lighthouse keeper's residence.

Four lighthouses were ordered built in Alaska's Lynn Canal from 1902 to 1906.

The Eldred Rock Light was the last of those four to be built.  It was also the first Alaskan lighthouse to be build of concrete.  

It is also the last of those that survives in its original state, though it is badly in need of repairs.  The rest have all been rebuilt or restored.

You can only get to the Eldred Rock by boat or sea plane, and the lighthouse keepers there must have been quite lonely at times.... supplies were delivered every two weeks, less often in the winter.