Mukilteo Light facts for kids
| Location | Mukilteo, Washington |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 47°56′55″N 122°18′16″W / 47.94861°N 122.30444°W |
| Year first constructed | 1905-06 |
| Year first lit | 1906 |
| Automated | 1979 |
| Foundation | Surface |
| Construction | Wood |
| Tower shape | Octagonal |
| Height | 38 feet (12 m) |
| Focal height | 33 feet (10 m) |
| Original lens | Fourth order Fresnel lens |
| Characteristic | White flash every 5 s |
The Mukilteo Light is a working lighthouse in Mukilteo, Washington. It stands on the eastern side of Possession Sound. This area is in Snohomish County, Washington, United States. The City of Mukilteo now owns and runs the lighthouse. It is a main part of Mukilteo Lighthouse Park. The lighthouse is important because it's on the Washington State Heritage Register. It was also added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1977.
Contents
History of the Mukilteo Light
Building the Lighthouse
Work on the Mukilteo Light started in 1905. It was designed by Carl W. Leick. He also designed other lighthouses, like the one at Ediz Hook and Cape Arago in Oregon. Unlike most lighthouses built then, which used brick or concrete, this one was made of wood.
The lighthouse began working in 1906. It first used a special Fresnel lens that spun around. This lens was very old, made in France in 1852.
Lighthouse Changes Over Time
In 1927, the original spinning lens was replaced. A new, fixed (non-moving) fourth-order Fresnel lens was put in. This is the same lens that is still used today.
In 1979, the lighthouse became automated. This means machines took over the jobs of the lighthouse keepers. A modern fog signal was also added. Two years later, in 1981, a sensor was installed to detect fog from far away.
Life at the Lighthouse
There are two Victorian-style homes next to the lighthouse. These homes were where the Coast Guard workers lived. They stayed there until 1996. In the 1990s, the city of Mukilteo fixed up the entire lighthouse area. They turned it into a museum for everyone to visit.
Open to the Public
On August 19, 2001, the U.S. Coast Guard gave the lighthouse to the City of Mukilteo. Now, the Mukilteo Light is the main attraction of Mukilteo Lighthouse Park. People can visit the grounds and go inside the lighthouse. The Mukilteo Historical Society helps take care of the lighthouse. They also manage the museum exhibits inside.
