Smith Island (Washington) facts for kids

Smith Island is an island found in the eastern Strait of Juan de Fuca in Washington. It's located about halfway between Admiralty Inlet and Lopez Island. A low strip of land, called a spit, connects Smith Island to the smaller Minor Island to its east. This spit gets covered by water when the tide is high.

These islands are mostly low and grassy with a few trees. They are a very important home for many seabirds. The beaches are also a great place for sea lions to rest. Both islands are part of the San Juan Islands National Wildlife Refuge. Because they are a wildlife refuge, they are usually closed to visitors to protect the animals.

The Smith Island Lighthouse

The Smith Island Light was a lighthouse built on Smith Island in 1858. When it was first built, the lighthouse stood about 200 feet away from the western edge of the island. Over time, the island's edge, called a bluff, started to wear away due to erosion.

Why the Lighthouse Was Left Behind

By the 1950s, the eroding bluff reached the front door of the lighthouse. Because it was no longer safe, the lighthouse was abandoned. From the 1980s until the spring of 1998, the last broken part of the lighthouse hung dangerously close to the edge of the bluff.

New Lights and Weather Station

A new, automated light replaced the old lighthouse. This new navigational light is 97 feet (30 meters) tall. Minor Island also has its own light to help ships navigate. Smith Island is also home to a weather station. This station is run by the United States National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, which studies the ocean and atmosphere.

History of Smith Island

Smith Island was first discovered in 1791 by José María Narváez. He named it Isla de Bonilla. Later, in the first half of the 19th century, traders from the Hudson's Bay Company gave the island its current name, Smith Island.

Getting to the Islands

Traveling to Smith Island and Minor Island means crossing the largest open water area in Washington State. The closest land to these islands is Whidbey Island, which is about four nautical miles away.

See also

In Spanish: Isla Smith (Washington) para niños