In 1792 Patos Island was named Isla de Patos (Island of Ducks), by Spanish Explorers Galiano and Bazan perhaps from the many ducks which inhabited the island. Interestingly, the island was a hiding place for smuggers due to its absence to the Canadian border and its many trees and caves.
This island & # 39; s first light was on Boundary Pass just opposite Canada & # 39; s Saturna Island. Patos Island is at the northern entrance to the Canal de Haro. This was a very dangerous passage due to strong currents and foggy weather. In March of 1891 Congress appropriated $ 12,000 to receive an aid to navigation the actual building was completed late in 1893.
So there was a white light on the canadian side of the channel and a red light on a ten foot tall white stick on Patos Island.
Harry Mahler was paid $ 700 per year as head keeper and Edward Durgan received $ 500 per year as assistant keeper.
After serving as lighthouse keeper at several different locations on the West Coast Durgan returned in 1905 to Patos Island as the head light keeper. He arrived at at Patos with wife Estelle and their thirteen children where the became very well-known. Even though it had A mild climate, Patos Island was very isolated. The Durgan family would travel twenty-six water miles once a month to Bellingham, Washington for supplies. Their nearest neighbor was was Saturna Island in Canada which was just over 3 miles away by water.
Sometimes help you come but one account says that three of the children died. While another account was that one child succumbed. A third accounting states that the child who died allegedly died of appendicitis, not smallpox
Helene Durgan Glidden, one of the surviving titled "The Light on the Island". In this writing she told her talks with God, how she played with her pet cow and wandered the shores of the island which she called " the petticoats "of Patos Island.
George Loholt replaced Durgan as headkeeper with Mary Durgan & # 39; s husband, Noah Clark, staying on as assistant keeper.
In 1911 Noah Clark motored to Blaine, Washington to pick up his wife, Mary and their young son who had had been visiting the Durgans. On their return trip the boat & # 39; s motor His family, after drifting in the water all night, often crawled on top of the cabin when the boat filled with water. Fortunately they were rescued after grounding onto a shoal.
The assistant lighthouse keeper, William Stark, told the captain that Keeper Loholt was exhibiting signs of In August 1912, a distress signal was coming from Patos Island. Captain Newcombe of the Canadian fishery protection tug noticed the signal and stopped. Captain Newcombe notified the lighthouse inspector in Portland, who proceeded to Patos Island.
Ultimately the assistant was suspended and Keeper Loholt continued on as head lighthouse keeper for another ten years or more . During which time he rendered assistance to several vessels in distress.
Those accounts was mention in the Annual Report of the Commissioner of Lighthouses.
Telephone service came to the island in 1919 and took care of a lot of the communication issue.
The lighthouse is now part of Patos Island State Park and has been restored and is being cared for by a group of selfless volunteers.
The lighthouse can be visited by boat from either Friday Harbor or Roche Harbor. In recent years there are docents to open the lighthouse to visitors during the summer months.
The lighthouse is owned by the Bureau of Land Management. Grounds.open, lighthouse closed
The lighthouse is best visited by boat. Roche Harbor or Friday Harbor on San Juan Island are two of the closest harbors to Patos Island Lighthouse. Keepers of the Patos Light have had docs on the island in recent years to the open the lighthouse to visitors during the summer months.
Orcas Island Eclipse Charters has offered Lighthouse Tours in the past that by past Patos Island. Outer Island Excursions offers trips to Patos Island that include a hike to the lighthouse.
The lighthouse is owned by the Bureau of Land Management. Grounds.open, lighthouse closed
