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Lighthouse Information
Lighthouse Information
- Body of water: Puget Sound
- Owned by: Skunk Bay Lighthouse Association (Privately Owned)
- Keeper’s House: No
- Year Built: 1964
- Height: 30 feet
- Type of Lens: Replica fourth order lens
- Light Characteristic: Continuous red light
- Year Automated: N/A
- Interpretive Center: No
- Gift Shop: No
- Membership: No
- Donation: No
Other Information
The lighthouse was built in 1964 and was originally not a legitimate aid to navigation. Jim Gibbs was a Coast Guardsman that was instrumental in rescuing the lantern from Smith Island Lighthouse before it was demolished due to erosion.
One night, Jim Gibbs accidentally left the light on in the lantern room and a passing ship reported it to the Coast Guard. He was then visited by Coast Guard personnel and was asked to either extinguish the light or make it so it could be a legitimate aid to navigation. Jim opted for the later so today, Skunk Island Lighthouse is a legitimate aid to navigation. The lens is a replica fourth order lens.
The lighthouse is privately owned and no access is allowed.
Fresnel Lens and Lantern House
Smith Island Lighthouse original Fourth Order Fresnel
Lens can be found at the Museum of History and Industry (MOHAI) at Lake Union, Seattle, WA.
This Fresnel lens was made in 1884 by Barbier and Fenestre in Paris for the Smith Island Lighthouse built by the Coast Guard in 1858.
Both the lantern house and the Fresnel lens were rescued from the Smith Island Lighthouse prior to its demise by Jim Gibbs in 1964 after obtaining permission from the Coast Guard.
The lantern house was built into a private structure (later to become a certified lighthouse) at Skunk Bay, WA (near Hansville, WA). Note: lens inside the lighthouse is a replica lens.