I worked as a tour guide for two summers at the Umpqua River
Lighthouse in Oregon. This opportunity enabled me to learn more
about this lighthouse than any of the others I've seen. Although
I have personally visited 302 lighthouses in the United States
and three Provinces in Canada, the Umpqua River Lighthouse has
special meaning for me. Grays Harbor Lighthouse was built in
1898 and is located at Westport, Washington. It is one of the
tallest lighthouses on the Pacific Coast. The octagonal white
masonry tower stands more than 107 feet. This lighthouse was
commissioned in 1897 and since built it has served as a coastal
light guiding ships into the harbor. The 135 step metal spiral
staircase has nine landings and leads to the lantern room. The
light emits both red and white flashes but only the white
flashes are visible for 23 miles. The tower sets on a 12 foot
concrete sub-base. At the time of my visit in 1999 this was an
active light owned by the Coast Guard. This lighthouse was
normally open to visitors, but