Tatoosh Island, Washington facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Tatoosh

Geography
Location	Makah Reservation, Clallam County, Washington, United States
Coordinates	48°23′31″N 124°44′10″W / 48.39208°N 124.73618°W / 48.39208; -124.73618
State	Washington
County	Clallam County
Additional information
Tatoosh Island
U.S. National Register of Historic Places
Cape Flattery Light from offshore
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Location	Off Cape Flattery, on Olympic Peninsula, Washington
Area	17 acres (6.9 ha)
Built	1857
Architect	US Coast Guard
NRHP reference No.	72001267
Added to NRHP	March 16, 1972

Tatoosh Island is a small island located about 0.5 miles (0.8 km) off the coast of Cape Flattery. This cape is at the very northwestern tip of the Olympic Peninsula in Washington. Tatoosh is the largest of a small group of islands. These islands are almost as far west as Cape Alava, which is about 15 miles (24 km) south. Cape Alava is the westernmost point in the main 48 United States.

The islands are part of the Makah Reservation and also belong to Clallam County. The total land area of this island group is about 1,720,150 square feet (159,807 square meters).

Island History and Heritage

Tatoosh Island has a rich history. Long ago, the Makah people used the island for seasonal fishing camps. Later, employees from the United States Coast Guard, Weather Bureau, and Navy also lived there for work. Today, no one lives on the islands permanently. If you want to visit, you need special written permission from the Makah tribe. The island gets its name from a famous Makah chief named Tatoosh.

Since December 28, 1857, Tatoosh Island has been home to the Cape Flattery Light. This lighthouse helps guide ships safely into the Strait of Juan de Fuca. In 1972, the entire island was added to the National Register of Historic Places. This means it's recognized as an important historical site.

Island Ecology and Wildlife

Tatoosh Island is a special place for nature. Because it's isolated and has a unique climate, it's home to many kinds of animals and plants. Many seabirds build their nests here. You can also find several types of marine mammals and a wide variety of sea plants and animals.

Scientists have been studying the island's marine life for a long time. In 1967, Professor Robert T. Paine from the University of Washington started detailed studies of the ocean environment. Later, in 1990, Julia Parrish joined the research. She began a long-term study focusing on the seabirds that live on the island.

This research helps us understand how different species are connected in a food web. It also shows how changes in the environment, like ocean acidification or El Niño events, can affect these complex ecosystems. Scientists have learned about important ideas like keystone species. These are species that have a huge impact on their environment, even if there aren't many of them.

Island Climate and Weather

Tatoosh Island has a very mild oceanic climate. This means it has cool but long summers and long, mild, and wet winters. The weather here is more like places such as northern Scotland or Haida Gwaii than other parts of western Washington. This is because strong ocean winds keep the temperatures from getting too hot or too cold. These winds also prevent the dry summers that are common along the western coast of North America.

Images for kids

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  Cape Flattery Lightstation, circa 1943 - 1953

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