What Is the Point Robinson Lighthouse?
The Point Robinson lighthouse is a well preserved historical light station on Maury Island!
What Makes It Historical?
Built in 1919, the Port Robinson Lighthouse is one of the most intact early 20th century light stations in the Pacific Northwest with its original fifth order Fresnel lens still intact! Its spot here at Point Robinson marked a crucial 90-degree turning point for ships navigating Puget Sound toward Seattle and Tacoma. In fact, it was one of three essential points (the others being Point No Point and West Point) that ships had to identify to pass through the Sound!
The site for the lighthouse was surveyed as early as September 1882 and was originally just a fog signal, which started whistling three years later! The first keeper’s dwelling was finished June 1885, and Franklin Tucker, the first keeper, arrived later that month! From there, a light got added in 1890, then, under the supervision of H.B. Bowermand and E.G. Gillette, combined with the fog machine to become the concrete lighthouse we see today!
The lighthouse operated for 24 years before ownership transferred to the Coast Guard, who completely automated the lighthouse by 1978. Since 1997, this has been a park and museum to teach about the history of maritime navigation in Puget Sound!
How Can I #HelpTheHelpers?
- Volunteer with the Vashon Parks District!
- Become a member of the Vashon Heritage Museum!
- Be a responsible visitor! Please respect the signs and pathways, and treat all structures and artifacts with respect. They’ve endured a lot to survive into the present. They’ll need our help to make it into the future!
How Do I Get There?
3705 SW Point Robinson Rd
Vashon, WA 98070
(Take Me There!)
When Should I Visit?
Visit the outside whenever you like! When I visited, tours were on hold because of COVID-19!