August 2015
Fort Flagler is the third of the three forts in this area that I visited, and is the least convenient one to get to. Located at the top of Marrowstone Island, it is a bit of a drive from where I was staying in Port Townsend, even though it isn’t that far as the crow flies.
Fort Flagler was the third coast artillery fort protecting Admiralty Inlet and completed the triangle of fire along with Fort Casey and Fort Worden. Fort Flagler was built in the late 1890’s and closed in 1953. Now a Washington State Park, some of the old buildings are available for rent by individuals or groups.
Marrowstone Point Light
The Marrowstone Point Light isn’t a traditional lighthouse, but rather just a light on top of a fog signal building. Apparently it was so “cool” I neglected to take any pictures of it. It’s also not easily accessible so I walked on the beach to look at it.
During my beach walk I ambled west away from the light for a bit, walking on the narrow strip of sand between Puget Sound and the cliffs where the gun batteries are. I went past the remains of a searchlight emplacement that has fallen to the beach because the cliff under it eroded away.
Battery Wansboro
Battery Grattan
Battery Lee
Battery Rawlins
Coastal Defense Multi-Function Building
Battery Wilhelm
Battery Revere
Battery Downes
Battery Calwell
Battery Bankhead
Searchlight Number 13
