West Point Light

West Point Light is a square brick tower with an attached watchroom positioned on a sandy point extending into Puget Sound. The structure rises about 23 feet (7 m) tall and sits where ships entering Elliott Bay could clearly see the light signal from the water.

The structure was built in 1881, originally planned with funds for a fog signal, and guided ships into Elliott Bay using a kerosene lamp. Electric lighting arrived in 1926, and automated systems took over operation in 1985.

The site was originally called Per-co-dus-chule by the Duwamish people, meaning a point that extends far out into the water. Local communities understood this name as describing the natural geography of the jutting peninsula that remains visible today.

The site sits within Discovery Park and requires a parking permit from the visitor center to reach the beach area. Vehicle restrictions maintain routes for emergency services while protecting the sensitive shoreline.

It was the last manned lighthouse station in Washington before automation in 1985 transformed it into a remotely monitored system. This shift marked the end of an era for lighthouse keepers along the Puget Sound coast.

Location: Seattle

Inception: 1881

Height: 7 m

GPS coordinates: 47.66197,-122.43567

Latest update: December 10, 2025 20:04