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Gray's Harbor Lighthouse
Category: Public Services & Government Landmarks & Historical Buildings Landmarks & Historical Buildings [Edit]
1000 W Ocean AveWestport, WA 98595
(360) 268-0078
One review for Gray's Harbor Lighthouse
1 review in English
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Review from Brooke M.
Seattle, WA
7/16/2007
The Grays Harbor Lighthouse (aka the Westport Lighthouse) is a fascinating site. Some of its details are listed below, but I highly recommend it for anyone visiting the coast. The Westport-South Beach historical society is in charge of it, and they give tours throughout the week. 360-268-0078 is the number to call to make sure it will be open when you get there (or to plan your trip around it). It's only a few dollars donation to enter and climb to the top, and well worth it. Small children are not allowed (I think under 8), for safety reasons, but even if you have to tag team it, its a great site to see.
Standing 107 feet tall, it is the tallest lighthouse in Washington, and the third tallest on the West Coast. 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. 135 metal stairs bolted to the wall lead to the lantern room. 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.
In 1898, the lighthouse stood just 400 feet from high tide. Massive amounts of accretion, due in large part to the jetty system at the entrance to Garys Harbor, have since built up, and the lighthouse currently stands approximately 3000 feet from high tide.
