Patos Island is the northernmost of the San Juan Islands in the state of Washington. The 207-acre island is in the Strait of Georgia, just two miles from the Canadian border. A light and fog signal station was established in 1893 on Alden Point, the northwestern tip of the island, and a more substantial lighthouse building was added in 1908.



Patos Island Lighthouse, U.S. Lighthouse Society photo.



In 2007, the Keepers of the Patos Light was formed to preserve the lighthouse. Edrie and Terri Vinson’s comprehensive book, Patos Island Lighthouse has been published by the History Press and will be available for purchase on March 29, 2021. Edrie is the president of the Keepers of the Patos Light, and Terri is the secretary.



Edrie VinsonTerri Vinson



Dangerous shoals around Cape Canaveral -- on the east coast of Florida -- were a constant threat to mariners, leading to the establishment of a lighthouse in 1849. The original brick tower wasn’t tall enough, leading to a decision to build a new tower. The second Cape Canaveral lighthouse, a 151-foot cast-iron tower, began service in 1868.



Cape Canaveral Lighthouse, Florida. (Courtesy of Ron Thorstad, Sunward Tours)



The Air Force became the owner of the automated lighthouse in 2000, with the Coast Guard continuing to maintain the light. Then, in 2002, the Cape Canaveral Lighthouse Foundation was formed. Rear Admiral Jim Underwood, U.S. Coast Guard retired, is the past president of the Foundation. Becky Zingarelli serves as the Cape Canaveral Lighthouse Museum Director.



Jim UnderwoodBecky Zingarelli