Fun at Browns Point

Doug Inspects the Big Bell

This makes a dozen posts about our visit to Browns Point near Tacoma. If you came here through a search engine and are not viewing these consecutively, here are links to the most informative posts:

• Marker for the Browns Point Light House
• The Keepers Cottage
• Capt. Vancouver was Here (in 1792)

Marker for Browns Point Lighthouse

Sue reads an interpretive marker for the Browns Point Lighthouse. It starts out: "The United States Lighthouse Service hung an acetylene, white light, lens lantern from a post on this site December 12, 1887. A light keeper rowed out to Browns Point from Tacoma once a week to change the wick and clean and polish the lantern. The light guided ships and boats coming into Commencement Bay until the two-story wood frame lighthouse was built in 1903. The first light keeper Oscar Brown began his first day of duty on October 26, 1903."

Lighthouse Keeper's Cottage

Browns Point Cottage, near Tacoma

The home of the lighthouse keeper is available as a vacation rental. It is open to visitors once a week.

An interpretative sign tells about the first light keeper to live there.

Oscar and Annie Brown arrived at Browns Point on a United States Government boat October 26, 1903 with their personal belongings, furniture, an upright piano, and a cow lowered to the beach by a sling. For 36 years Oscar and Annie tended the light and developed and nurtured a landscape that originally consisted of a tideland and a lagoon.

Link: Points Northeast Historical Society

The Browns Point Light Keepers Cottage

Browns Point Rescue Boat

We admired the beautiful reproduction of a rescue boat at Browns Point. And between the boat house and the water we saw the remains of a track that was used to quickly move the boat from the building to the bay.

Browns Point Light, Puget Sound

Susan and Frank

Susan and Doug took us to the Browns Point Light and adjoining park. The lighthouse itself is small and not particularly exciting, but the surrounding park and keeper's cottage are very nice to visit.

The light is still in service. It's near Tacoma, Washington.

History Told at Assateague Lighthouse

As we climbed the steps inside the lighthouse, I paused on the landings to look out the windows and read the paper signs. One told about the Civil War Years on Assateague and its neighbor Chincoteague Island. The lighthouse that existed at that time was shorter (45 feet tall) and dated from 1833. Here's an excerpt:

At one point rebels did manage to put the Assateague light out. The Confederates wanted to ship arms through the channel to the mainland and tried to get past Chincoteague and into the bay under disguise. A rebel schooner did reach the mainland and in response to a request for help, in 1861 U.S.S. Louisiana was sent up from Hampton Roads to intercept it.


After that a Union platoon was based at the lighthouse and another on Chincoteague. The loyalty of the islanders was recognized when free transport of seafood to the north was granted.


Throughout the war peninsula farms were an important source of food for the Union army.

(Notes by Chincoteague Natural History Association.)

Another sign tells the general history of the lighthouse and Assateague Island, beginning with it's use by Native Americans prior to European settlement in the 17th century.

Click on the image to see a large version.

• See all posts about Assateague.
• Browns Point Lighthouse, WA.
• Point Fermin Lighthouse, CA.
• Other posts about lighthouses.
• Visit Chincoteague Natural History Assn.

In the Keeper's Cottage: Downstairs

They had their own classroom!

Ryley and Josie inspect the old-fashioned stove.

The lighthouse keeper's cottage at Browns Point does not look very large from the outside, but it had adequate space inside. The basement level has a large kitchen and a school room.

See also the Photo Gallery at the Points NE Historical Society Site.

Exploring Browns Point

Josie and Ryley

Inside the Keeper's Cottage

 The family who lived at Browns Point made their home quite comfortable.

Beachcombing at Commencement Bay

Here we have some additional pictures I took at Browns Point near Tacoma.

Josie and Ryley are blessed with parents who provide plenty of educational experiences and chances to explore nature.

Views of Commencement Bay

Josie is looking out over Commencement Bay, which is off Puget Sound, Washington.

The lighthouse (above) is the Browns Point Light, which I've also pictured previously. We were there on a cloudy day in March.

Looking Around at Puget Sound

"Do Not Feed or Harass Seals or Sea Lions" In spite of what the sign says, we did not see any seals or sea lions at Browns Point. Since we arrived before the lighthouse keeper's cottage opened for tours, we had time to look around.

Doug and Ryley

Jo and Sue

Vancouver Was Here

Two signs at Browns Point attest that George Vancouver was here in 1792.

"Documented history of Puget Sound began in 1792 when Captain George Vancouver sailing for King George III of England explored and charted this expansive waterway. While Peter Puget explored Clovos Passage to the west, Vancouver explored the Eastern Passage. Names with which we are familiar today were given during this expedition: Admiralty Inlet, Vashon Island, Whidbey Island, Mt. Rainier, Mt. Baker, Gig Harbor and Port Orchard to name a few."