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Cattle Point Lighthouse

Parent Category: Islands
Created: 25 July 2014
Address: Cattle Point Rd, Friday Harbor, WA 98250
GPS Coordinates: 48°27'02.4"N 122°57'47.9"W

Photo from North Cascades, Friday Harbor, Cattle Point LighthousePictures below will take you on a virtual tour to the lighthouse! Take a minute to look them through!

Description:

Photo from North Cascades, Friday Harbor, Cattle Point Lighthouse

Cattle Point is one of the most popular places in the south part of San Juan Island. The main attractions at Cattle Point are American Camp, Mount Finlayson, Fourth of July Beach and South Beach and, of course, the Cattle Point Lighthouse.

This wonderful place is perfect for scenic drives, hiking, biking and just recreation. Tourists will find here numerous green fields, wonderful beach, and well-maintained hiking trails in the forest as well as along the shoreline.

Photo from North Cascades, Friday Harbor, Cattle Point Lighthouse

Wildlife here is abundant, be ready to encounter foxes, to enjoy soaring eagles and other coastal birds, herds of deer, marine mammals such as sea lions and seals. Nature here is also indescribable. Perfect views of Mount Rainier, Canadian Vancouver Island, Olympic Peninsula with the Olympic Mountains and mighty waters.

The history of Cattle Point started in 1853, when the Hudson’s Bay Company established the Belle Vue Farm on the island. Cattle Point Lighthouse was built in 1935, but a special lantern that navigated the way has been working here since 1888. This first lantern was maintained by George Jakle, a soldier from American Camp. He stayed on the island even after his enrolment. He had the farm here and continued raising sheep.

Photo from North Cascades, Friday Harbor, Cattle Point Lighthouse

Later, in 1921, a radio station was built at Cattle Point, and it took over the lighthouse. Using positioning data from Cattle Point, New Dungeness Spit and Smith Island station, captains of the ships that were sailing through the Strait of Juan de Fuca could find there location even in low-visibility conditions.

The lens lantern was replaced in 1935 by a 34-foot octagonal, concrete tower and fog-signal lighthouse. It was also automated in the late 1950s.

Though the lighthouse is closed to public visits, the views that this place offers can be enjoyed after a short walk from the parking area.

Directions:

Friday Harbor

Follow Spring Street west out of the town. Spring Street will become San Juan Valley Road. Turn left on Douglas Road and drive 1.5 miles to Little Road. Turn left on Little Road and drive 0.4 miles till the end. Turn right on Cattle Point Road and drive about 6 miles to the southern end of the island.

These pictures were taken on June 14, 2014

In order to get the directions click on the link below:

Photo: Roman Khomlyak

Photo Editing: Pavlo Petryshyn

Information: Marina Petrova