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Ilwaco, Washington · Lit 1898

North Head Lighthouse

HauntedOpen to the public

North Head Lighthouse · Mattsjc, CC BY-SA 4.0

Facts below are drawn from the linked sources.

Real history

North Head Light was built in 1897 and first lit in 1898, above the mouth of the Columbia River. The Coast Guard turned the light station over to Washington State Parks in November 2012 (Wikipedia).

Ghost stories

These are reported legends, not verified events. The creepiness score (1–5) is Spook Atlas's own editorial rating, not a measurement.

Mary, the keeper's wife Our creepiness rating 💀💀💀💀💀
Ghost Adventures (2018) investigated the keeper's house over reports of a spirit called Mary, the wife of first keeper Alexander Pesonen, whose death the show calls a suspicious suicide. Source: Wikipedia.

Then and now

North Head Lighthouse at sunset
Now: North Head Lighthouse. Photo: Mattsjc, CC BY-SA 4.0. Wikimedia Commons

Public access

Open to the public The lighthouse is in Cape Disappointment State Park, per Washington State Parks. Check the park page for hours. Last checked: Oct 31, 2026.

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⚠️ Please read: This information may be outdated and conditions change. Verify access with the owner or operator before you go. Spook Atlas does not encourage trespassing. Entering private, closed or condemned property can be illegal and dangerous. Report a correction.

Reader experiences

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