Oregon Lighthouses
The lighthouses of Oregon are some of the most spectacular and beautiful sites in America. They are well worth your visit. If you are not already a lighthouse enthusiast one visit to an Oregon lighthouse will make you one.
Cape Blanco
Oregon's oldest and southern most lighthouse is named for
the steep cliffs that drop nearly 200 feet to the beach
below. The light at its top (59 feet high) has a focal plane
of 245 feet and can be seen from up to 22 miles at sea.
Located near Blanco State park outside of Port Orford
Coquille Light
Built in 1895, this light house stood empty and unused for almost 50 years.
Now, it has been restored to its original glory, but is
no longer in use.
Located near Bandon and the Bullard's Beach State Park
Cape Arago Light
Oregon's Coos Bay has been served by 3 different lighthouses. The first was built in 1866 and used until 1908 when it was replaced due to erosion. The second was built farther back but it too was threatened by the encroaching waves of the Pacific. Finally, in 1934 a reinforced concrete tower was erected and is still in use today. The 40 foot octagonal tower has a 4th order Fresnel lens that spreads its light approximately 16 miles.
Located 2 miles south of Charleston
 Umpqua
River Light
Although the current tower was built in 1894, there has been a lighthouse here since 1857. The tower has a flashing red and white light which can be seen from 21 miles away. It is 165 feet above sea level and has a first order Fresnel lens.
Located near Winchester Bay
Heceta Head Light
Taking almost 2 years to build this lighthouse (completed 1894) has a unique first order Fresnel lens which has 640 individual prisms. Its light can be seen from as much as 21 miles away thanks to its 640 individual prisms. Heceta Head's grounds are open to the public and it is one of the western coast's most photographed lighthouses.
Located 11 miles north of Florence
Yaquina Bay Light
Built in 1871 and used for a scant
2 years due to a bureaucratic
bungle-a second lighthouse was built
just a few miles away
making this
one  unnecessary.
However, the
building was finally put to use as a crew station
for the U.S. Lifesaving Service before ultimately being
used as a historical museum.
Located in Newport
Yaquina Head Light
Built in 1873, the Yaquina Head Light is one of the most beautiful American lighthouses. The 93 foot tall tower is perched on craggy cliffs and has a 12 foot high lens which sends its beam seaward for 19 miles. The station is closed to the public but can be seen from the beach or the highway.
Located in Newport
Cape Meares Light
Built in 1890, this 38 foot tall tower stands on the edge of a cliff on Cape Meares. Due to its high location, the focal plane is 215 feet above the crashing waves. The lighthouse has not been used since 1963, but it is now used as a tourist attraction.
Located in Tillamook
If you are a lighthousephile you'll enjoy our page on North Carolina lighthouses that shows you some of the best lighthouses in North Carolina. From the Outer Banks to the old coast the Carolinas have some lovely lighthouses.
Photo Credits: Top Lighthouse photo by
Jan Tik; Light house bulb byK Christner; Heceta Light House
by D70 Focus; Yaquina Lighthouse by KC Kellner
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