I can think of no other edifice… as altruistic as a lighthouse. They were built only to serve. ~George Bernard Shaw
There are 11 lighthouses along the Oregon coast, most of them accessible to the public. We’ve seen two so far.
The first, named “Tilamook Rock” and nicknamed “Terrible Tilly” sits atop a pile of rocks more than a mile out to sea off Cannon Beach. Terrible Tilly took 575 days to build with only one life lost.
The second, Heceta Head, was built in 1894 and is one of the most famous and photographed. It’s located in one of the Oregon State Parks just north of Florence and is accessible via a short 1/2 mile hike up from the shoreline.
The lens in Heceta Head is called a Fresnel lens — 8-sided and produces a characteristic flashing pattern that can be seen for 21 miles before it’s obstructed by the curvature of the earth.
Three lighthouse keepers were required. Winding the clockworks, keeping the lamp lit, and monitoring the beacon. Heceta Head lighthouse was not automated until 1963 at which time the lighthouse keepers were…well…they were RIF’d.
As we get to see any more of the 11 lighthouses, we’ll add them in later posts.
I love lighthouses — that Shaw quote is awesome! Thanks for sharing. Over on the Long Beach Peninsula north of you on the Washington coast is a lighthouse at Cape Disappointment. The State Park rents the 2 lighthouse keeper’s houses out to individuals and groups — it’s a great place. :-)
These are gorgeous shots, Eileen! Since it is raining, there is a book you should read. It is “Brilliant Beacons” by Eric Dolin. He lives in MA and is a great history researcher and writer. This book is all about lighthouses in the US.
I’ve always loved the mystique of lighthouses, so I loved the photo of the keeper’s house tucked on that hill. Keep these pictures coming!
My friends have a home in Yahacts…they often post pictures of that beautiful coast. Enjoy!
BEAUTIFUL!!! No lighthouses around here that I know of…but LOTS of fire towers. You are always welcome in MO…you can take pics of them…