Semiahmoo Harbor Light

Semiahmoo Harbor Light was a wooden octagonal lighthouse built on pilings above the water with a 1.5-story dwelling unit beneath its central lantern tower. The structure featured a peaked roof design that housed the light mechanism while providing living quarters for the keeper below.

Built in 1905, the lighthouse served vessels navigating the Gulf of Georgia and Puget Sound for nearly 4 decades. It eventually ceased operation in 1944 as navigation technology advanced and new systems took over its role.

The lighthouse design by U.S. Lighthouse Board Architect Carl Leick reflected similar architectural patterns used at the Desdemona Sands Lighthouse.

The former lighthouse location is best viewed by boat, where a modern navigation tower now operated by the Coast Guard stands in its place. Year-round access to the bay is possible, though water conditions and weather affect the practicality of approaching the site closely.

The lighthouse relied on a Daboll trumpet fog signal system that consumed two gallons of oil whenever it was activated during foggy conditions. This mechanical warning device allowed keepers to alert approaching ships through sound alone when visibility on the water was poor.

Location: Washington

Inception: 1905

GPS coordinates: 48.99219,-122.78406

Latest update: December 14, 2025 18:05