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Location
On State Highway 20, three miles south of Coupeville on
Whidbey Island, Island County.
Acreage
Fort Casey State Park (including Keystone Spit) is comprised
of 411.46 acres with 7,000 feet of freshwater frontage and 10,810
feet of saltwater shoreline on Admiralty Inlet.
Acquired
Fort Casey State Park (including the Keystone Spit Area) was
acquired in three parcels primarily from the Federal Government;
the first in 1955 and the last in 1988, for a total cost of
$300,000.
Historical Background
Formerly a U.S. Coast Guard Artillery Fort established in the
late 1890s, its operation was coordinated with those of Fort
Worden and Fort Flagler.
In 1858 the United States purchased 10 acres of land costing
$400 for the location of the Admiralty Head Lighthouse. In 1890,
with construction of the fort, the light was relocated,
relinquishing the building to the Army. In 1899, the Adjutant
General's office officially named the garrison "Fort
Casey" in honor of Brigadier General Thomas Lincoln Casey,
the last Chief of Engineers, United States Army. During its later
occupancy by the Army, the lighthouse was used as a training
facility for the K9 dog program. It has been restored by the
Parks Commission and presently is being used as an interpretive
center. In 1980, Fort Casey was incorporated into the Ebey's
Landing National Historical Reserve by the National Park Service.
Facilities
63 picnic sites, 400 parking sites, lighthouse/interpretive
center, 1.25 miles of trail, 5 comfort stations, 2 sewage lift
stations, 35 standard sites, 3 primitive tent sites; 2
residences, 3 shops, warehouse office, historic bunker
structures; 2 boat launching ramps with grounding floats,
underwater park area. Water supplied from the town of Coupeville.
Activities
Camping, picnicking, boating, fishing, scuba diving, hiking,
interpretation, and clamming.
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