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Point Wilson Lighthouse

Occ WR 20s🇺🇸Washington, USOperational

Location & Light Range

About Point Wilson Lighthouse

Constructed in 1879, the Point Wilson Lighthouse stands 14 meters tall with its light reaching 15.5 meters above sea level. The tower displays a distinctive red and white color scheme. It emits a white light with an alternating flashing characteristic, visible for 15 nautical miles. The lighthouse has been operational since its construction, serving as a navigational aid on the Washington coast.

Why it matters: This lighthouse is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It overlooks the entrance to Admiralty Inlet, the waterway connecting the Strait of Juan de Fuca and Puget Sound.

Background
The Point Wilson Light is an active aid to navigation located adjacent to Fort Worden State Park near Port Townsend, Jefferson County, Washington. It is one of the most important navigational aids in the state, overlooking the entrance to Admiralty Inlet, the waterway connecting the Strait of Juan de Fuca and Puget Sound. The lighthouse was listed on the Washington State Heritage Register and the National Register of Historic Places in 1971.

Light & Optic

Characteristic Signature
Occ WR 20s
Flash Type
Occ
Light Color
WR
Flash Count
1 flash
Interval
20s
Raw Code
Al.Fl
Focal Height
15.5m
Geographic Range
15NM

Construction & History

Year Built
1879
Heritage Status
National Register of Historic Places listed place

References & Identifiers

Admiralty No.
LLNR 16475
Wikipedia
Read on Wikipedia →
Wikidata
Q2671728 →
OpenStreetMap
View on OSM →

Tower & Structure

Tower Height
14m
Tower Color
red;white

Location

City
Washington
Country
🇺🇸US
Latitude
48.1442°
Longitude
-122.7547°

Nearby Vessels

Flag
Type
Name
Dist.
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Frequently Asked Questions

How do mariners identify Point Wilson Lighthouse at night?+
Point Wilson displays the characteristic Occ WR 20s — 1 wr flash every 20 seconds. Each lighthouse has a unique flash pattern published in the List of Lights, allowing mariners to positively identify it and distinguish it from other navigation aids in the area. The wr color may indicate a specific sector or warning zone.
Which ports and harbors does Point Wilson Lighthouse guide vessels into?+
Point Wilson Lighthouse assists vessels approaching 5 nearby ports. The closest is Port Townsend at 1.7 NM to the SSW. Other ports served include CAPTAIN WHIDBEY INN (4.8 NM NNE), Port Hadlock (6.9 NM S), OAK HARBOR (9.8 NM NNE), Freeland (12.4 NM SE). Mariners should consult the relevant chart for full approach and pilotage information.
Is Point Wilson Lighthouse still active and maintained?+
Yes, Point Wilson Lighthouse is currently operational. It is actively maintained and continues to emit its characteristic light signal for marine navigation. Most modern lighthouses are automated and monitored remotely by the national maritime authority.
What shipping routes pass near Point Wilson Lighthouse?+
Point Wilson Lighthouse is located within the US West Coast shipping lane — a major trans-Pacific trade route serving West Coast ports of the United States. This makes it an important navigation reference for commercial shipping traffic in the region.
How can I track vessels near Point Wilson Lighthouse?+
You can track vessels near Point Wilson Lighthouse in real time using MarineRadar. The platform shows live AIS positions of ships in the area, including vessel name, type, flag, speed, and course. Use the "Track Vessels Nearby" button on this page to open the live map centered on this lighthouse.