BROWNS POINT, Wash. — In the late 1800s, Tacoma’s waterfront is booming thanks to timber and the city's growing population.
"When Tacoma began to become more and more of a shipping center they needed a lighthouse to direct ships into the port," said Jim Harnish with Points Northeast Historical Society. "They built a permanent lighthouse in 1903, it was a wood lighthouse with a kerosene lantern. The first lighthouse keeper came in 1903, Oscar Brown and his wife, Annie. They were here by themselves with no roads, no electricity, no water until 1921. So, it was a very difficult life."
"When they realized they needed a new lighthouse, they built a concrete one in 1933," Harnish said. "The lighthouse is an Art Deco style, which was unique among lighthouses."
Over the decades the lighthouse and grounds fell into disrepair until a joint effort led by the Points Northeast Historical Society completed a massive renovation - restoring the site to its former glory.
"The lighthouse has always been like the icon of Browns Point," said Harnish. "We have restored all seven buildings on the property and have them open as museums that people can visit."
People can not only visit Browns Point Lighthouse, they can stay the night there as well.
"We restored the cottage as a lightkeepers program so people could rent it and experience a little bit about how the lightkeepers lived in the early 20th century," Harnish said.
The cottage may be small, but it's bursting with history.
"We have the 1903 lighthouse keeper's cottage, that is where Mr. and Mrs. Brown lived, the first light housekeepers to occupy that house," said Tom Smith, a docent for the Browns Point Lighthouse. "It’s a three-bedroom house, the main bedroom is downstairs, which was Oscar’s office. The two upstairs bedrooms have sweeping views looking north and south. We made it look as if the house would look like in 1920."
Guests who stay the night walk away impressed with the experience.
"Many people have written that it's the most unique place to stay because you're in the middle of a park with the public and the most awesome view in town," Smith said.
History and tranquility – the Browns Point Lighthouse continues to be a beacon for all to enjoy.
If you'd like to stay at the Browns Point Lighthouse keeper's cottage it's $250 a night with a minimum 2-night stay. You can book it on Airbnb or VRBO.
You can also visit the cottage for free! The Points Northeast Historical Society offers tours every Saturday during the summer between 1 and 4 p.m. Be sure to check out the basement in the cottage, that's where you'll find a mini-museum packed with old artifacts.
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