Lighthouses of the Pacific Coast

This book details the fascinating development of the lighthouses on the Pacific Coast through the Pacific Northwest. The discussion focuses on the technological evolution of lighthouses, the actual lights and development of lenses, the architecture of the lighthouses and how they were built and maintained on remote sites, life for the Lighthouse Service keepers, and the movement today to preserve and restore lights. As lively as the text is, it is the stunning photography that really sets this book apart. These are not generic depictions of staid lighthouses in daylight; here, readers will find intriguing images of lights that were shot from boats, helicopters, and aeroplanes -- many at low light or during storms, which is when lighthouses are especially important. The photographs even bring readers inside the structures, showing the curling stairways, lenses, keeper's homes, and more. A comprehensive appendix lists all the current Pacific Coast lighthouses plus traveller information, including how to get to them, whether they are open for tours, a brief history, location of lighthouses using longitude and latitude, and a map.