Browns Point Light facts for kids
| Location | Browns Point, Washington |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 47°18′21.3″N 122°26′39.4″W / 47.305917°N 122.444278°W |
| Year first constructed | 1887 |
| Year first lit | 1933 (current tower); 1903 (previous tower); 1887 (first structure) |
| Automated | 1963 |
| Foundation | Concrete |
| Construction | Concrete |
| Tower shape | Square without lantern |
| Height | 34 feet (10 m) (38 feet (12 m) above sea level) |
| Original lens | VRB-25 |
| Range | 12 nautical miles (22 km; 14 mi) |
| Characteristic | Flashing white light every 5s, Light obscured from 217° to 002°. HORN: 2 blasts ev 30s (2s bl-2s si-2s bl-24s si). |
The Browns Point Lighthouse is a cool lighthouse located near Tacoma, Washington on Browns Point, Washington. It stands at the eastern entrance to Puget Sound's Commencement Bay. This lighthouse helps guide ships safely in and out of the bay.
History of the Lighthouse
The very first light station at Browns Point was set up in 1887. It was a simple white light on a post. This post stood about 12 feet above the sea. It was also about 50 yards from the low tide line.
In 1901, a new wooden lighthouse was built. A separate house for the lighthouse keeper was also added. The lighthouse you see today was built in 1933. It became automatic in 1963. This means it no longer needed a person to operate it.
The lighthouse, its original keeper's cottage, an oil house, and a boathouse are all very important. They are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This means they are protected because of their historical value.
Visiting Browns Point Lighthouse
You can visit the Browns Point Lighthouse! The Points Northeast Historical Society helps take care of it. They even rent out the old keeper's cottage. If you rent it, you get to be an honorary lightkeeper. This means you can help give tours of the lighthouse on Saturday afternoons.
The Society also runs two museums near the lighthouse. The History Center has changing exhibits about the area's past. The Boat House Museum shows off a replica surfboat. It also has many cool items related to the sea.
The lighthouse is inside Browns Point Lighthouse Park. This park is a great place for a picnic. You can also enjoy amazing views of ships passing by. And on clear days, you can see the beautiful mountains!
