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Smith Island Lighthouse - Demolished

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History

Lighthouse Information

Lighthouse Information
  • Body of water:  Straits of Juan de Fuca
  • Owned by: U.S. Coast Guard
  • Keeper’s House: No
  • Year Built:  1858
  • Year Demolished: 1989 by erosion
  • Type of Lens:  Fourth Order Fresnel (now located at MOHAI)
  • Interpretive Center:  No
  • Gift Shop:  No
  • Membership: No
  • Donation: No
Other Information

Smith Island was also known as Blunt’s Island.

See Jim Gibbs Biography

Article courtesy of Lighthouse Digest

Interesting Facts

Fresnel Lens and Lantern House

Smith Island Lighthouse original Fourth Order FresnelSmith Island Lens 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. 

Skunk Bay LighthouseThe 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.

Photos