Built: 1898

Type: Conical

Height: 65 feet

Status: Active

Location: Ilwaco

Lens: First order Fresnel / Present VRB-25

Keepers: 

Notes: Construction of North Head began in 1896.  The tower is brick masonry with a cement plaster overlay built on a sandstone foundation.  69 steps lead to the lantern room, which is 65 feet from the ground and 194 feet above the sea level.  The first order Fresnel lens which came from Cape Disappointment was lit for the first time on May 16, 1898.
The original lens was replaced by a 4th order lens in 1935 when electricity came to the station.  Seven years later, on  June 22, 1942 the keeper was order to turn off the light.  Fort stevens, Oregon was fired upon by a Japanese submarine.  To keep the location of fort stevens and Fort canby hidden all the surrounding lighthouses were darkened until danger was over.
In the 1950's the fourth order lens was replaced by two aero beacons.  The light was automated in 1961 with a modern optic mounted on the towers gallery and the last keeper left on July 1, 1961.
The Coast Guard restored the lighthouse in 1984 and opened it to the public under the direction of Cape Disappointment state park.