The New Dungeness Lighthouse is located on the Dungeness Spit in the Dungeness National Wildlife Refuge near the town of Sequim in Clallam County, Washington, on the Strait of Juan de Fuca. It was first lit in 1857 and was the second lighthouse established in the Washington territory. The original New Dungeness lighthouse was a 1 ½ story duplex with a tower rising from the roof. The tower stood at 100 feet (30 m) painted black on the top half and white on the lower section.
Over time, the tower developed structural cracks from the artillery at nearby forts. In 1927, the cracks in the tower were so severe that the lighthouse inspector feared that the tower would topple. It was decided that year that the tower would be lowered to its current height of 63 feet (19 m). With the new tower dimensions, the original 3rd order Fresnel lens was too large for the tower. To save costs, the lantern room from the decommissioned Admiralty Head lighthouse was removed and placed atop the shorter tower. The newly painted tower was relit with a revolving 4th order Fresnel Lens.
In the mid-1970s the Coast Guard decided to remove the Fresnel lens and test a DCB airport style beacon. The beacon only lasted a few years until it was replaced by a much smaller AGA-acrylic revolving beacon that provided the same range as the DCB, but with a 150-watt bulb instead of the 1,000-watt DCB bulb. In 1998 the Coast Guard replaced the AGA with a newer Vega Rotating beacon.
In 1994, the Dungeness Lighthouse was one of the few lighthouses in the United States to have a full-time keeper. Michelle and Seth Jackson and their dog Chicago were the last to hold the post of lighthouse keepers.
In march of '94 the Coast Guard boarded up all the windows at the station, checked all the electrical equipment and left. The station didn't stay boarded up long. Within months, the United States Lighthouse Society started the New Dungeness chapter and were able to secure a lease from the Coast Guard.
The Light Station is now maintained and operated by New Dungeness Light Station Association whose vision is that "The New Dungeness Light Station will be the finest example of historic restoration, preservation and interpretation of the nation." Membership in the association furthers the mission of the preservation and its members are eligible to become Keepers for a week. The cost is $350/adult and $195/child for the week and duties include providing tours of the lighthouse. There are three main bedrooms in the Keepers quarters and it can accommodate 7-9 guests for a week.
For more information on joining the New Dungeness Light Station Association and to book a reservation to become a "Lighthouse Keeper" for a week, click on the following link:
There are also some wonderful photos in the gallery section of the above website.
The Lighthouse is open to the public and tours are available every day, free of charge. However, be sure to check the Tide Tables for the local Dungeness Bay area before attempting to walk out to the Lighthouse and be prepared for a five hour round trip. It is quite a walk along the Dungeness Spit.
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