Slip Point Lighthouse, courtesy of Slip Point Lighthouse Keepers

The Strait of Juan de Fuca is a body of water the Salish Sea's main outlet to the Pacific Ocean. Clallam Bay, Washington, is an indentation on the south side of the strait, about 30 miles from its mouth. Slip Point is at the east end of Clallam Bay. A fog signal was established at Slip Point in 1905. A lantern was hung on the fog signal building to provide a navigational light until another appropriation paid for the addition of a lighthouse tower in 1916. The square, wooden tower was attached to the west side of the fog signal building.

The keeper's house at Slip Point, courtesy of Slip Point Lighthouse Keepers

L to R: Karolyn Burdick, Susan Heiny, and Sarah Winter.

Slip Point Lighthouse was replaced in 1951 by a modern tower. Local resident Susan Heiny and her daughter Sarah Winter Grafstrom have formed a group called the Slip Point Lighthouse Keepers to work with the county to preserve the keepers’ house and its history. Also taking part in this interview is Karolyn Burdick, the group’s historian.

The Lovells Island Range Lights in 1915. U.S. Coast Guard photo.

Also featured in this episode are circa 1990 audio recordings of Harold Jennings, son of the light keeper of the Lovells Island Range Light Station in Boston Harbor, Massachusetts.