Photo by~ AZ Photoguy

Our lighthouse tour for the Oregon Coast has included Tillamook Head, Cape Meares, Yaquina Head and Yaquina Bay, Heceta Head, Umpqua River and Cape Arago lighthouses.  Let’s head to Bandon Oregon to visit Coquille River Lighthouse…

Beautiful “Bandon by the Sea” offers many fine places to stay, including  beach front vacation rentals with amazing views and some of the finest golf in the world to enjoy during your visit! The lighthouse is located in Bullards Beach State Park just 2 miles north of Bandon, a family oriented park with yurts and equestrian camping too!

The historic Coquille River lighthouse  construction began in 1891 on the short 40 ft. lighthouse tower that would house the Fourth Order lens. Due to many construction delays it was finally lit on February 29, 1896 and operated for just 43 years. In 1939, it was abandoned and its duties replaced with an automated beacon. Over the years it has survived nearly being hit by the schooner “Advance” after it ran aground and was one of only 16 building left after a forest fire had destroyed most of the town. After many years of neglect the lighthouse was renovated in 1976 by the US Army Corps and the Oregon State Parks department. In honor of the Centennial Celebration, a new light was lit in the tower in 1991. The revival of the lighthouse paralleled the revival of Bandon, which is now a popular seaside destination town.

Next stop… the lighthouse at Cape Blanco

~ Thanks & have fun AT THE BEACH!

Photo by Lonnie R. Peck~ Bearded Elf Productions

So far… our lighthouse tour has included Tillamook Head, Cape Meares, Yaquina Head,Yaquina Bay, Heceta Head and Umpqua River lighthouses… next stop is Cape Arago lighthouse which is located between Coos Bay and North Bend.  (Currently the  lighthouse is closed to the public but you can get some great views from the Sunset Bay State Park, just south of Charleston).

This beautiful bay area also offers world-class fishing opportunities and sand dunes towering up to 500 feet,  for all of you off-road enthusiasts! A host of State and County parks are also available for camping, hiking and site-seeing… Oh, and don’t forget the ocean & beach! To accommodate your stay… here’s a vacation rental that’s perfect for a group of 10 and has extra parking for your ATV’s and boats too!

The current Cape Arago lighthouse is the third building constructed for use as a beacon. The original structure was erected in 1866, octagonal shaped and made of wrought iron, it used a lantern for its light. The next building was made of wood and erected in 1908; it also was octagonal shaped and housed a fourth order Fresnel lens. The structure of  today was built in 1934 and was made of reinforced concrete, in hopes it could better withstand the harsh coastal environment. This new tower houses the Fresnel lens from the second lighthouse. The lighthouse was automated in 1966 and although a fog horn remains, the lighthouse was decommissioned and on January 1, 2006 the light was turned off. The Coast Guard removed the Fresnel lens from the tower in 1993, and placed it on display for viewing at the Coast Guard Air Station North Bend.

Next up… Coquille River Lighthouse

~Thanks & have fun AT THE BEACH!