Browns Point Light

Browns Point Light is an 11 meter tall concrete tower on the eastern entrance of Commencement Bay, one of the region's main shipping corridors. The 1933 structure sits on a rocky point and served for decades as a critical navigation marker for vessels traveling through Puget Sound.

The light began in 1887 as a simple lantern on a post before being replaced by a wooden structure in 1901. The current concrete tower built in 1933 represents the final development of navigation technology at this site.

The site is maintained by the Browns Point Historical Society, which keeps the keeper's cottage and support buildings open to show how lighthouse staff lived and worked in earlier times. Walking through these structures gives a sense of the daily routines that kept ships safe.

The keeper's cottage is available to rent if you want to spend an extended time here, and guided tours are offered on weekends. Check ahead with the management about visiting times, as hours can vary with the season.

The beacon uses a VRB-25 lens system, an advanced optical design that reaches ships reliably even in clear weather. An additional fog horn emits two distinct tones every 30 seconds when visibility drops.

Location: Tacoma

Inception: 1887

Height: 11 m

GPS coordinates: 47.30592,-122.44428

Latest update: December 12, 2025 12:03