Point Adams Light House...
Gone With Time

Point Adams Light House stood proudly just south of the Columbia River's mouth. Now it's gone.

Pt. Adams Light House…gone into history

The Light House served the south entrance to the Columbia River. To the north was Cape Disappointment. In 1873, a site at Fort Stevens was located. Construction began and the light was lit on February 15, 1875.

As technology improved creating the flashing sensation from the beacons, captains, if not up to date on the new signal changes, could easily get confused regarding what light house they were observing. The Point Adams light was changed from a flashing red to a fixed red. Consequently, captains got confused and shipwrecks occurred because a captain did not have up to date charts.

Pt. Adams Light House comes to a rest

January 31, 1899 Point Adams Light House shut it's light off. It was no longer needed, so some officials thought. Shortly after the discontinuation of Pt. Adams Light House, the vessel, Peter Iredale wrecked. You can still the remnants of the ship today.

Even though the light house is gone, you can visit the gun battery where the light house was located near. Also, see the ship wreck. Just head over to Fort Stevens State Park, south of Astoria.

Be sure to visit the other Oregon Coast Light Houses.

Craig Dahl & The Editorial Staff

Northwest Travel Tips