Dofflemyer Point Light facts for kids
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| Dofflemyer Point Light, ca. 2012 | |
 Dofflemyer Point Light
Location in Washington (state)
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| Location | Budd Inlet, Washington |
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| Coordinates | 47°08′27″N 122°54′27″W / 47.14083°N 122.90750°W |
| Year first constructed | 1934 |
| Year first lit | 1934 |
| Automated | 1987 |
| Foundation | Surface |
| Construction | Concrete |
| Tower shape | Pyramidal |
| Height | 30 feet (9.1 m) |
The Dofflemyer Point Lighthouse is a special lighthouse in Washington. It was one of the first lighthouses in the state to be controlled by machines, not people. This lighthouse stands at the entrance to Budd Inlet, which is north of Olympia. It is the most southern lighthouse in Puget Sound. The Dofflemyer Point Lighthouse is also listed on the National Register of Historic Places, which means it's an important historical site.
Contents
History of the Lighthouse
Dofflemyer Point is a piece of land that marks the eastern side of the entrance to Budd Inlet. This inlet leads south to Olympia, which is the capital city of Washington. The point was named after Isaac Dofflemyer, an early settler in the area.
Early Days of the Light
In 1887, a simple light was set up at Dofflemyer Point. It was a lantern placed on top of a twelve-foot tall wooden stake. This early light helped boats find their way in the dark.
Building the Current Lighthouse
The lighthouse you see today was built in 1934. It replaced the older, simpler light. This new lighthouse is 30-foot (9.1 m) tall and is shaped like a pyramid. It is made of concrete. A person named Rufus Kindle designed this strong, new tower.
How the Lighthouse Became Automated
In the 1960s, the United States Coast Guard started to automate the Dofflemyer Point Lighthouse. "Automated" means it could turn itself on and off. They used special devices called photoelectric cells. These cells could sense when it was dark and turn the light on, and when it was light and turn it off.
Even after this, a person called a "contract keeper" was still needed. This keeper would make sure the light and tower were in good shape. They also had to turn on the fog signal if it was foggy.
The lighthouse became fully automated in 1987. This means no keeper was needed anymore. At that time, a radio-beacon was also added. A radio-beacon sends out a radio signal. Sailors could use this signal to figure out exactly where their boat was.
Becoming a Historic Place
On May 1, 1995, the Dofflemyer Point Lighthouse was officially recognized as an important historic place. The Washington State Advisory Council on Historic Preservation gave it this special title. It was then listed on the Washington State Heritage Register.
It's important to know that the Dofflemyer Point Lighthouse is on private property. This means it is not open for people to visit inside.
