Destruction Island Lighthouse

Destruction Island Lighthouse is a white beacon structure standing on a remote rocky island about 3 kilometers off the Washington coast. The tower rises roughly 29 meters tall and features iron reinforcements designed to withstand harsh ocean conditions and coastal weather.

Construction started in 1890 after years of funding challenges, and the lighthouse first shone on January 1, 1892 to guide ships at sea. It served maritime navigation for more than 100 years before ceasing operations in 2008.

The first-order Fresnel lens, manufactured in France by Henry Le Paute in 1888, now resides at the Westport Maritime Museum for public viewing.

The tower sits on an uninhabited island and is not open to public visits. You can view the white structure clearly from Ruby Beach and other lookout points along Route 101, especially on clearer days.

The name comes from maritime disasters of the late 1700s when Spanish and British vessels met their end in the treacherous waters around the island. The original French-made Fresnel lens from 1888 now sits in the Westport Maritime Museum for visitors to see.

Location: Jefferson County

GPS coordinates: 47.67437,-124.48697

Latest update: December 12, 2025 12:00