The North Head Lighthouse

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Perched atop a rugged basalt cliff more than 190 feet above the Pacific Ocean, the North Head Lighthouse near Ilwaco, Washington, has guided mariners since 1898. Built to aid ships approaching from the north—who couldn’t see the older Cape Disappointment Lighthouse—the tower stands 65 feet tall and originally housed a powerful first-order Fresnel lens transferred from its southern counterpart. Designed by Carl Leick, the lighthouse was part of a larger station that included oil houses, a keeper’s residence, and duplex housing for assistants—all still present today. Known for its fierce winds and dramatic coastal views, North Head is one of the windiest spots on the West Coast, with gusts once recorded at 126 mph. Today, it remains an active aid to navigation and a cherished historical landmark within Cape Disappointment State Park.

The “Graveyard of the Pacific” refers to a perilous stretch of coastline spanning from Tillamook Bay in Oregon to Vancouver Island in British Columbia. Since the 18th century, this region has claimed over 2,000 shipwrecks and thousands of lives due to its treacherous conditions—shifting sandbars, violent storms, dense fog, and powerful currents. The Columbia River Bar, in particular, is infamous for its unpredictable nature, where the river’s outflow collides with Pacific swells to create towering breakers. Early explorers like Robert Gray and William Broughton encountered these dangers firsthand, and by the mid-1800s, mariners had dubbed the area the “Graveyard of the Pacific” as commerce surged during the California Gold Rush and the lumber boom.

Efforts to tame the region began with the construction of lighthouses, lightships, and eventually jetties to stabilize the Columbia’s mouth. Despite these improvements, disasters continued—most notably the wreck of the SS Valencia in 1906, which claimed over 130 lives and became one of the deadliest maritime tragedies in the area. The U.S. Lifesaving Service established stations at Cape Disappointment and North Cove to aid in rescues, but the sea often proved unforgiving. Today, the Graveyard of the Pacific remains a haunting reminder of nature’s power, with memorials, museums, and ghostly legends preserving its legacy along the rugged Pacific Northwest coast.

The model comes as a kit that is a lot of fun to assemble kit in a box. The kit is made out of basswoord.

The dimensions are 6.5 (L) by 4.5 (D)  by 7 inches (H).

The instructions can be found here.

Basswood, also known as American linden (Tilia americana), is a fast-growing deciduous tree native to eastern and central North America. Revered for its soft, pale wood and fragrant summer blossoms, basswood is a favorite among woodcarvers and beekeepers alike. Its heart-shaped leaves and creamy-yellow flowers not only add ornamental charm but also produce nectar that yields a prized honey. The wood itself is lightweight, fine-grained, and easy to work with—ideal for carving, musical instruments, and furniture components. Historically, Indigenous peoples used its fibrous inner bark for making ropes and nets, a legacy reflected in the name “basswood,” derived from “bast.” Though not suited for outdoor durability, its versatility and gentle beauty make it a quiet staple in both natural landscapes and artisan workshops.

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