Astoria Lower Range Front Light, Astoria, Oregon

The Astoria Lower Range Front Light is located on the riverfront of the Columbia River in Astoria, Oregon just East of the Astoria-Megler Bridge. It is a metal skeletal tower with a beacon on a concrete piling base. The current light was constructed in 2011 to replace a former light that was destroyed by fire. Photos taken in September 2018.

Bandon South Jetty, Bandon, Oregon

The Bandon South Jetty Light is an automated beacon and fog signal that sits on a stone breakwater on the South side of the Coquille River where it enters the Pacific Ocean in the town of Bandon, Oregon. This small light replaced the Coquille River Lighthouse in 1939. The Coquille River Lighthouse is on the North Side of the Coquille River just upstream from the South Jetty Light.  Photos taken in June 2012.

Tillamook Rock Lighthouse, Cannon Beach, Oregon

The Tillamook Rock Lighthouse sits atop Tillamook Rock approximately one mile from Ecola State Park, just North of Cannon Beach, Oregon. Construction of the lighthouse commenced in 1879 and took 525 days to build due to the trecherous weather conditions. It was lit for the first time in January 1881. Over the years it became known as "Terrible Tilly" due to the severe weather conditions that the lighthouse and it's keepers had to endure. During a storm in October 1934 a boulder was tossed into the lantern room by the sea and smashed the Fresnel lens.  The light was decomissioned and turned off in 1957 replaced by a whistle bouy one mile further offshore. Since then the lighthouse has changed hands several times, the most recent owners converting it to a columbarium called "The Eternity at Sea Columbarium" however only a small number of ashes have been placed on the rock to date.  Photos taken in June 2012.

Cleft of the Rock (Cape Perpetua) Lighthouse, Yachats, Oregon

The Cleft of the Rock Lighthouse, also known as Cape Perpetua Lighthouse, is one of two privately owned lighthouses in Oregon that are listed as official aids to navigation. It is located just South of Yachats, Oregon. This lighthouse was built in 1976 by James A. "Jim" Gibbs, a former lighthouse keeper and marine historian. Mr. Gibbs, who passed away in 2010, wrote many maritime books, several about lighthouses. Mr. Gibbs constructed the lighthouse based on the former Fiddle Reef Lighthouse, Oak Bay, British Columbia. The light is a halogen globe that is visible for 16 miles.  The light was obtained from the Canadian Coast Guard. The name, Cleft of Rock, came from a hymn by Fanny J. Crosby - "He Hideth My Soul in the Cleft of the Rock" (Exodus 33:22). Photos taken in June 2012.

Cape Arago Lighthouse, Coos Bay, Oregon

The Cape Arago Light Station was originally established in 1886. The current lighthouse was constructed in 1909 and was deactivated in 2005. In 2008 a bill was passed transferring the title to the land to the Confederated Tribes of the Coos, Lower Umpqua and Siuslaw Indians.  The light is difficult to get close to and my somewhat distant photos were taken in June 2012.

Coquille River Lighthouse, Bandon, Oregon

The Coquille River Lighthouse is located on the North side of the Coquille River, across from the town of Bandon, Oregon. It currently sits in Bullard's Beach State Park. Construction of the lighthouse commenced in 1895 and the lamp was first lit in 1896. The light was decomissioned in 1939 and replaced by a fog signal and beacon on the South Jetty in Bandon, across the river. The lighthouse sat abandoned for many years. When the state park was created, it took responsibility for the lighthouse and the building was restored in 1976 and a solar powered light was eventually placed in the tower in 1991.  The building is illuminated with Christmas lights each December. Photos taken in June 2012.

Cape Blanco Lighthouse, Cape Blanco, Oregon

The Cape Blanco Lighthouse is located on a high bluff at Cape Blanco just North of Port Orford, Oregon. The lighthouse commenced operation in December 1870.  It was automated in 1980.  In 1992 vandals damaged the lens, but it was able to be repaired and was back in operation by 1994. The light has been open to visitors since 1996 and is part of Cape Blanco State Park. Photos were taken in June 2012.

Pelican Bay Lighthouse, Brookings, Oregon

The Pelican Bay Lighthouse is one of two private lighthouses on the Oregon Coast that is recognized as an offical aid to navigation by the Federal Government.  The owner, Mr. Bill Cady originally built the lighthouse as an addition to his house in 1990. The house was moved to its present location above the Port of Brookings (Brookings Harbor) in Brookings, Oregon in 1997. Mr. Cady received permission to light the lantern in 1999 and it was first lit on July 4th, 1999. The lamp is a fixed acrylic Fresnel lens and can be seen from a range of 11 miles. It is lit daily from dusk to dawn. Mr. Cady's father was a former lighthouse keeper in California.  It is the most Southerly light in Oregon. Photos taken in June 2012.

Yaquina Bay Light - Revisited

As with Yaquina Head, I stopped at the Yaquina Bay Lighthouse to take a few more photos on a recent trip to the Newport, Oregon area. Once again, I got there too late and the lighthouse was closed for visits, but I did get a few photos to update my previous posting. Photos taken in September 2010.

Yaquina Head Lighthouse, Newport, Oregon - Revisited

It had been a number of years since I visited this light which sits on a windy outcropping of land just North of Newport, Oregon. In my original post, the light is shown in it's previous colours of Red and White, and as you can see from these more recent pictures, the colour is now Black and White. Photos taken in September 2010.

Heceta Head Lighthouse, near Florence, Oregon

In previous trips past this beautiful light, I had not had time to stop and hike up to the lighthouse and had only a photograph of a distant view as in my previous post about it. I had vowed to remedy that oversight and this time, although the weather was not cooperating, I made the short hike up to the site. Here are some photos of the lighthouse and the remaining keepers house (which is a popular B&B - photo on right). My visit included a tour of the lighthouse by a very interesting guide who related the history of not only the light but the origin of the name Heceta Head (after a Spanish Explorer who noted when passing that there was a shallow area of ocean West of the current site of the light). These photographs taken in September 2010.

Lightship Columbia, Astoria, Oregon

The Lightship Columbia (WLV604) is one of the highlights of the Columbia River Maritime Museum at Astoria, Oregon. This lightship was stationed at the Columbia River Station between 1951 and 1979. Photos taken in September 2010.

Cape Meares Lighthouse, Cape Meares, Oregon

This light stands high atop an ocean bluff in Cape Meares State Park on the Three Capes Scenic Loop near Tillamook, Oregon. Construction of the light began in 1888 and it was first lit in 1890. The light was decommissioned in 1963 and replaced by a beacon which is located on a hill just East of the original tower (photo on right). Photos taken in September 2010

Heceta Head Lighthouse, Oregon

While going through some old travel pictures, I came across this one shot of the Heceta Head Lighthouse in Oregon. It is a bit of a distant view, taken on a misty morning. I intend to visit this light again in 2010 and take some better photos. The light was established in 1894. It is located North of Florence, Oregon. Photo was taken in 2005.

Yaquina Head Light, Newport, Oregon

This light is located just north of Newport, Oregon. It was first lit in 1873 and replaced the Yaquina Bay Light to the south. This photo, taken in the late 1970's shows the light painted red and white. Currently it is black and white.

Umpqua River Light, Reedsport, Oregon

This light is located in the Umpqua River State Park just south of Reedsport, Oregon overlooking the Umpqua River. The current light was lit in 1894 when it replaced the original Umpqua River Light that was abandoned because of unstable ground in 1864. The light was changed to electric from oil in 1934. The light is still operational and automated. Top photo taken on a foggy morning in 2005.  Other photos taken in June 2012.

Yaquina Bay Lighthouse, Newport, Oregon

This lighthouse is located at the North entrance to Yaquina Bay at Newport, Oregon. It was built in 1871 but closed in 1874 when the Yaquina Head light was lit north of it's location. It was scheduled for demolition in 1948 but saved by the efforts of the Lincoln County Historical Society. It became a dedicated historical site in 1956. There are many stories claiming that the lighthouse is "haunted". The photo was taken in July 2005.