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 helps boats find their way safely on the water. This lighthouse is located on the eastern side of Possession Sound. The City of Mukilteo owns and runs it as part of Mukilteo Lighthouse Park. It's also a special historic place, listed on both the Washington State Heritage Register and the National Register of Historic Places since 1977.
Contents
History of the Mukilteo Lighthouse
Building the Lighthouse
Work on the Mukilteo Lighthouse started in 1905. It was designed by Carl Leick. This same design was used for other lighthouses, like the one at Ediz Hook and Cape Arago in Oregon.
What makes this lighthouse special is that it was built mostly from wood. Many other lighthouses from that time were made using brick and concrete.
How the Light Works
The lighthouse began operating in 1906. It first used a special revolving lens called a Fresnel lens. This lens was made in France way back in 1852.
In 1927, the original lens was replaced. A new, fixed (non-rotating) fourth-order Fresnel lens was put in. This is the same lens that is still used today.
Modern Changes and Ownership
In 1979, the lighthouse became automated. This means machines took over the job of keeping the light and fog signal working. A remote sensor was added in 1981 to detect fog.
The property also has two Victorian-style homes. These homes were used by Coast Guard workers 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.
On August 19, 2001, the U.S. Coast Guard officially gave the lighthouse to the City of Mukilteo. Today, the Mukilteo Light is the main attraction of Mukilteo Lighthouse Park. The park grounds and the inside of the lighthouse are open to the public. The Mukilteo Historical Society helps take care of the lighthouse and its museum exhibits.
