Salish Sea Lighthouses (Washington State)
Welcome to the Salish Sea Lighthouse website. Many people are fascinated by lighthouses. Their location, purpose and architecture all have an important role to play. They mark strategic points of land to warn ships and provide navigation landmarks.
Lighthouses continue to play an important role to mariners in providing landmarks in navigable waters. The United States Coast Guard is tasked with maintaining aids to navigation (ATON) and play an important role though out the Salish Sea as well as the United States. The Coast Guard continues to play an important part throughout the Salish Sea. A section is devoted to their role and impact on this website.
The lighthouses of the inland waterways of Washington all lay on a body of water referred to as the Salish Sea. Basically, the Puget Sound, Straits of Juan de Fuca and the San Juan Islands are within this biodiverse body of water. The waters are swift with currents and many turns which required lighthouses to be built to warn mariners of shoals and outcroppings of land.
Carl Leick designed over 25 lighthouses throughout the Pacific Northwest. His famous lighthouse is perhaps Admiralty Head Lighthouse found on Whidbey Island at Fort Casey State Park. Each lighthouse, although some appear to be similar are unique. This website will visit each lighthouse throughout Salish Sea in Washington State.
“Build ’em stout, and make ’em last.” Carl Leick
Lighthouses are special landmarks. Here in the Salish Sea, there are a number of them scattered throughout Puget Sound, Straits of Juan de Fuca and the San Juan Islands. This website will help you appreciate each lighthouse found in Washington State….namely on the Salish Sea.
Lighthouses are iconic maritime structures designed to guide ships safely along coastlines and through hazardous waters. Equipped with powerful beacons and distinctive patterns of light, these structures play a crucial role in navigation, helping sailors avoid dangers like rocks and reefs. Beyond their practical function, lighthouses often hold historical significance and contribute to the picturesque landscapes of coastal regions worldwide.
The United States has a rich history of lighthouse architecture, featuring a diverse array of structures along its coastlines. These iconic beacons, designed for maritime navigation and safety, showcase various architectural styles, from classic Victorian to more modern designs. Notable examples include the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse in North Carolina, with its distinctive black and white stripes, and the Portland Head Light in Maine, one of the oldest lighthouses in the country. Each lighthouse tells a unique story, blending functionality with architectural beauty to guide sailors and capture the imagination of onlookers.