Cape Arago Lighthouse
~ This entry was posted on December 4, 2009
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!
