Tanglewood Island Lighthouse and Great Hall before demolition
On a recent cruise through Hale Passage, along Fox Island’s north shore, I was dismayed to see that the ‘Great Hall’ on Tanglewood Island had been demolished. It had been a well known and much photographed landmark since it was erected in 1947. Part of the lighthouse structure is still standing, just off the shore, but the main hall was demolished on January 24th, 2014.
The lighthouse structure and great hall were built by Dr. Alfred Schultz in 1947.
All that is left of the “Fox Island Lighthouse” on Tanglewood Island
He had purchased the land in 1933, and later constructed a boys camp called ‘Ta-Ha-Do-Wa‘ on what was then known as Graves Island It was renamed to Tanglewood Island in 1947. Dr. Schultz used the lighthouse as his office and a dormitory for the camp’s staff, occasionally even lighting the beacon to appear like a real navigational aid.
It’s sad news that such a well known and loved icon fell into disrepair through neglect and had to be torn down.
Mount Rainier and Tanglewood Island Lighthouse before demolition.