Turn Point Light, lighthouse in Washington, United States
Turn Point Light is a lighthouse on the southern tip of Stuart Island in San Juan County, Washington. The structure consists of a white and red concrete tower with a lantern room on top, standing approximately 44 feet (13 meters) above the water and emitting a white flash every two and a half seconds, visible to ships about 8 nautical miles away.
The lighthouse was established in 1893 as a simple lantern mounted on a post to help ships navigate the dangerous turn in these waters. Over time, major improvements followed: the light was electrified in 1925, a concrete tower was built in 1936, and the station was automated in 1974, eliminating the need for a permanent keeper.
The name Turn Point refers to the sharp navigation turn that vessels must make here, and the lighthouse stands as a physical marker of this maritime passage. Visitors experience how the light served as a constant reference point for those traveling by water, making it a meaningful part of local seafaring identity.
The lighthouse sits on a rocky island, so sturdy shoes are recommended for exploring the grounds, and daylight hours with clear weather offer the best visit experience. The site features an interpretive center with a small museum, overnight accommodations, and a gift shop, with guided tours provided by local volunteers during certain seasons.
The site once housed a special Fresnel lens, a specialized optical device that magnified the light and made it visible across great distances before modern equipment replaced it. This lens was stored in the old mule barn at various times, a structure that served multiple purposes over the decades and now tells part of the station's technical history.
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