
Yaquina Head Lighthouse
Posted by:
cachegame
N 44° 40.604 W 124° 04.749
10T E 414469 N 4947606
Enjoy great views from the tallest lighthouse in Oregon
Waymark Code: WMR90
Location: Oregon, United States
Date Posted: 09/24/2006
Views: 48
Yaquina Head Lighthouse is one of the most popular lighthouses in the United States. There are hundreds of thousands of guests that visit every year. The tower is the tallest on the Oregon Coast - soaring 93 feet in the air. This lighthouse is the only Oregon Lighthouse with a marble floor. It stands 162 feet above sea level, and can be seen from ocean vessels as far away as 22 miles.
During construction, two different boats met their doom on Yaquina Head's shores trying to deliver supplies. After much labor, the lighthouse was lit on August 20, 1873.
There was a large house built for the original two keepers that manned this lighthouse station. It was found that another keeper was needed so a smaller house in the back was constructed. Because of this lighthouses proximity on the coast, there were a number of storms and high winds that caused surface damage to the tower and the keeper's dwellings. Fences were built to ward off rocks and other debris from destroying the property. However, this didn't stop the tower from being struck by lightning in October of 1920. Luckily, through the years, the lightening and severe storms haven't really hurt this lighthouse. In fact, to this very day the structure of the lighthouse is within one half inch of being perfectly straight.
If you would like a spectacular view of the Pacific Ocean and the surrounding area, be prepared to walk circles up 109 lighthouse stairs to see the lamp! Doing so will alow you to get a great "I survived the climb" button. Also, it is worth the time to talk with the volunteers at this lighthouse; they are all very nice and have a number of interesting stories and facts to offer. At the top of this lighthouse you will get a good view of the stationary lens that magnifies a blinking 1000 watt light bulb.
Yaquina Head Lighthouse is part of the Yaquina Head Outstanding Natural Area. Make sure to visit the Interpretive Center and bring your camera because you will be taking a lot of pictures. There is a $5 fee per vehicle.
cachegame