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Happy 99th Birthday - Lime Kiln Lighthouse!
If San Juan Island were to be summed up in one picture, it would be a picture of the Lime Kiln Lighthouse at the Lime Kiln State Park, one of the best places to watch Orcas Whales from land on Earth. For many visitors and islanders alike, this is the place where memories are made, where you saw your first whale, where your Sweetie proposed, where you came to write in your journal and went for a brisk walk at sunset. For me, it was coming here with my daughters when they were little. While everybody flocked to the whale viewing platform to see Orcas, my daughters went straight to the majestic Madrona by the lighthouse and hung from its branches – for hours. It was their favorite tree. They called it the “Mermaid Tree”.
The historic lighthouse, owned and still operated by the Coast Guard, turns 99 this year. Happy Birthday, Lime Kiln Lighthouse, and thanks for all the memories!
5 Cool Historical Facts:
1. On June 30, 1919, the lighthouse’s kerosene lamp was first lit.
2. The tower is built on solid rock, 20 feet above high water.
3. Lime Kiln was the last lighthouse in Washington State to be electrified in 1960.
4. In 1978, it was declared a Historic Site and placed on the Washington Heritage Register and the National Register of Historic Places.
5. In 1985, the lighthouse and surrounding sea were dedicated as a whale sanctuary and research station for marine mammal scientists.
5 Awesome Present Day Facts
1. Orca whales are frequently sighted from Lime Kiln State Park, as often as twice per day during the summer months.
2. The 36-acre day-use Lime Kiln State Park features restrooms, 12 picnic sites, 0.2 miles of ADA accessible trails, 1.6 miles of hiking trails and a whale viewing platform.
3. The lighthouse and a nearby converted former Coast Guard Garage are run as interpretive centers by Friends of Lime Kiln Society with interactive displays, activities and educational programs about the diverse ecosystems making their home here and the historic significance of the park, including the historic lime mining operation.
4. In addition to the historic lighthouse visitors can also explore a 19th century re-built lime kiln from which the park got its name.
5. The park is surrounded by the Westside Preserve, over 200 acres of land and trails open to the public.
