The beautiful coastline of Washington state draws many nature-lovers and tourists to its shores every year. The dramatic, rocky shores produce breath-taking sunsets and high-crashing waves. Scattered along the coast are also the historic lighthouses of Washington, which stand bravely against the crash of the tides and provide an awesome view to any adventurers willing to make the climb.
A much needed lighthouse was built on Cape Disappointment in 1856, at the mouth of the Columbia River. It was not an easy task constructing the beacon. The first ship to bring building supplies crashed at the foot of the cape and all the materials were lost. The second load of materials was successfully brought ashore and constructed, but they then realized the housing for the lantern was too small and had to take it apart again, brick by brick.
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Destruction Island is an aptly named piece of land sitting off the coast of Washington, with steep bluffs all around it. However, the lives lost on this island were taken by Indian massacres, not deadly seas. The lighthouse was constructed in 1891 and had four keepers. Together with their families, they grew vegetables, conducted schooling for the children, and raised livestock.
The New Dungeness Lighthouse has seen a lot of violence in its lifetime. Many conflicts between Indian tribes were fought on its grounds. During one particularly bloody massacre, a pregnant woman who had been stabbed several times managed to crawl to the lighthouse. The keepers gave her shelter and nursed her to health.
