Yaquina Head Outstanding Area

We explored the Newport and surrounding areas. I remembered visiting Yaquina Head Lighthouses a few years ago and wanted to see them again. So we took the bridge over Yaquina Bay and stopped at the Yaquina Bay Lighthouse which was built in 1871 and decommissioned 1874. It is believed to be the oldest structure in Newport, the only existing Oregon lighthouse with the living quarters attached and the only only historic wooden Oregon lighthouse still standing. I believe I read the reason it was "retired" was because it was visible for ships traveling north along the coast. But southbound vessels could not see it. Thus the construction of the Yaquina Head Lighthouse.

The 93 foot tower, Oregon's tallest, is located on a narrow point of land jutting due west into the Pacific Ocean north of Newport, at Yaquina Head Outstanding Natural Area. Winds and rain have buffeted this lighthouse since its beginning in 1872. It took approximately one year and over 370,000 bricks to construct Oregon's tallest lighthouse.

114 steps lead to the Fresnal light. The light was automated on May 1, 1966. the original lens is still in place, but is now illuminated with an electric 1,000 watt globe. It has a signature of two seconds on, two seconds off, two seconds, then 14 seconds off.

I am fascinated by these lighthouses and the historical role they played in navigating the west coast.