Name and Location

Cape Disappointment Lighthouse is located at the mouth of the Columbia River in Ilwaco, Washington, USA.

Construction and History

The Cape Disappointment Lighthouse was constructed using wood and mortar during the mid-19th century. It initially served as a manual-operated aid to navigation and was automated in 1937.

Architecture and Materials

The lighthouse stands approximately 38 feet (11.5 meters) above ground level, with a simple wooden tower featuring a square base, tapering to an octagonal top section.

Light and Navigation

The lighthouse's light characteristic is Al.Fl, displaying a white light with a red sector flashing every 15 seconds for 30 seconds. The light range extends approximately 21 nautical miles (39 kilometers) into the Pacific Ocean.

Accessibility and Visiting

Visitors can access the Cape Disappointment Lighthouse via Cape Disappointment Trail, which offers stunning views of the Pacific Ocean and surrounding landscape. Guided tours are available during peak seasons.

Notable Views and Landscape

The lighthouse sits atop a rugged bluff overlooking the Columbia River's mouth, surrounded by dense forests and scenic coastal vistas.

Technical and Operational Details

The lighthouse is listed on the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) under reference number 75001864. Its heritage operator is the United States Coast Guard, and its protection title is "U.S. Coast Guard."

Further Information

For further reading, please visit the Cape Disappointment Light article on Wikipedia: <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cape_Disappointment_Light>