North Head Lighthouse

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About The Site

North Head sketch

North Head lies near the mouth of the Columbia River, approximately two miles north of Cape Disappointment. The Cape Disappointment light, installed in 1856, was obscured to ships approaching from the north by the headland extending southwest from the light. This obstruction led to many shipwrecks, including the Harvest Home in 1882, Whistler in 1883, Carrie B. Lake in 1886, Grace Roberts in 1887, and Strathblane in 1891.

To remedy the situation, a lighthouse was built at North Head, which faces the ocean directly and would be clearly visible to ships traveling from the north. The 65-foot tower stood on a 130-foot cliff. The lens was the first-order lens from Cape Disappointment, and was first lit in 1898. A small workroom was built at the base. Two residences, a barn, and several other outbuildings were built east of the lighthouse. A fog signal was also built, but proved as inaudible as the one at Cape Disappointment.

North Head is one of the windiest places in the country. The lantern room windows were equipped with handrails for keepers cleaning the glass. Winds of 126 miles per hour were recorded on January 29, 1921, before the instrument blew away. In 1932, a wild duck was blown into the lantern, breaking through the glass and chipping the lens.

In 1935, the first-order lens was replaced by a fourth-order lens. That lens was eventually replaced by an aerobeacon in the 1950's, and later by a modern optic mounted outside the tower. The light was automated in 1961.

The tower is white, but was painted in camouflage colors during World War II, after a Japanese submarine fired 17 shells at nearly Fort Stevens. The shells caused no injuries, and the only damage was to a backstop on a baseball diamond.

Today the lighthouse is part of Cape Disappointment State Park (formerly Fort Canby State Park). The first-order lens is on display at the Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center in the park. The residences still stand, and visitors can stay in the residences overnight. The light itself is still active, but open for tours.

References (see links)

Umbrella Guide to Oregon Lighthouses, Nelson pp. 109-112
Pacific Northwest Lighthouses, Roberts and Jones pp. 34-35
The Keeper's Log Summer 2004

Select an image to enlarge

Keeper's Residences

Barn and Outbuildings

Current Resident

Late Afternoon

At a Distance

Directions: The lighthouse is on the grounds of Cape Disappointment State Park (formerly Fort Canby State Park). From Astoria, Oregon, cross the Columbia River at the Astoria-Megler Bridge and go west on US 101 to Ilwaco. From Ilwaco, follow signs to the park. From the park, you can visit both Cape Disappointment and North Head. The park is well-marked with signs. The first-order Fresnel lens is on display at the Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center in the park.

To get to the lighthouse itself, follow park signs to the lighthouse parking area. You arrive near the keeper's residences. Follow the trail from the parking lot to the lighthouse nearby. Alternatively, there is a trail from the keepers residences that lead to the lighthouse.

The park hours are 6:30AM-10PM (summer) and 6:30AM to 4PM (winter). The lighthouse is open for tours. For tour times and information on staying in the keepers residences, call the park office at (360) 642-3078 or go to the Washington State Parks website (see links). (September 2006)