A beam of light piercing the fog. That’s Point Robinson Lighthouse. It stands tall and proud a beacon guiding ships through treacherous waters.
Point Robinson Lighthouse isn’t just a pretty sight. It’s a vital piece of maritime history. For over a century it has served as a navigational aid in Puget Sound. Its location at the easternmost point of Maury Island is crucial. The lighthouse protects ships from the dangerous shoals.
Its story began much earlier than the current structure. In 1884 the Lighthouse Service purchased land. A fog signal station was built. This came complete with a boiler and a 12-inch steam whistle. Imagine the sound echoing across the water. A keeper’s house was built nearby. A second one followed in 1907. The first light arrived in 1887. It was a simple red lens lantern. A 25-foot post held it aloft. This was eventually replaced by a wooden tower.
Then in 1915 the current lighthouse was constructed. It’s a twin of the Alki Point Lighthouse. Its 38-foot tower and fifth-order Fresnel lens are impressive. The light could be seen for 10 nautical miles. The light’s pattern is distinctive: three seconds on one second off three seconds on and five seconds off.
The lighthouse was automated in 1978. However the original Fresnel lens remains. Visitors can still see it in the lantern room. In 2008 the Coast Guard upgraded to a plastic beacon. The old lens stayed.
Jerry Bolstad was the last Coast Guardsman stationed here. He served until 1989. He and his family lived in one of the keeper’s houses. Bolstad even restored the original fog signal. Visitors could experience its powerful sound.
In the 1990s local residents fought to save Point Robinson Lighthouse. There were plans to build a commercial seafood plant. The Keepers of Point Robinson organization formed. They worked with the Vashon-Maury Island Park and Recreation District. They negotiated a lease with the Coast Guard. Now the area is a 10-acre park. It’s a historical and marine conservancy. The keeper’s dwellings are even available for rent.
Point Robinson Lighthouse. More than just a light. It’s a testament to maritime history community effort and the enduring power of a beacon in the fog.