After World War II, the Keeper’s residence was torn down, leaving only the tower. ![]() The second lighthouse, located at Table Bluff had a light that was visible up to 20 miles away thanks to its fourth order lens and the elevation of the bluff. The first, situated at the north spit of the Bay entrance, was constantly threatened by nature, and replaced in 1892. Table Bluff Lighthouse was actually the second light to mark Humboldt Bay. Humboldt Bay is the largest harbor in California north of San Francisco. The lighthouse is part of the Umpqua River State Park and is managed by Douglas County Parks, who host a museum in one of the former Coast Guard buildings and conduct tours of the tower during the summer months. Today the Fresnel light is still shining. The tower, brick overlaid with cement plaster, is 5 feet thick at the base and tapers to 21 inches thick at the parapet. The new lighthouse is a 65-foot tower which stands 165 feet above sea level. 1888 saw the construction of the second Umpqua River lighthouse further inland on a headland above the mouth of the river. The lighthouse, built on sand, was constantly battered. Winter storms brought swollen river banks and crashing seas. On October 10, 1857, Keeper Fayette Crosby lit the third-order Fresnel lens, the first light along the Oregon Coast. Construction began in 1856, local Indians, who for centuries had used the area as a prime hunting and fishing ground were none too pleased to watch the progress. Umpqua River Lighthouse is located in Douglas County on the Southern Oregon coast. Umpqua River Lighthouse – Winchester Bay, OR From various locations on Tillamook Head in Ecola State Park it presents a picturesque view and makes a great photo subject (with a telephoto lens) and an especially dramatic one during very stormy weather as waves crash over the rock. It is now an unofficial, privately-owned, columbarium. Due to the erratic weather conditions, and the dangerous commute for both keepers and suppliers it was decommissioned in 1957, and has since been sold to private owners. Officially lit on January 21, 1881, it was the most expensive West Coast lighthouse ever built. Lives were lost surveying the site, and more during construction, and even more when it was manned. “Terrible Tilly” is of particular interest because of it’s difficult-to-reach location – which made it a famously expensive and dangerous place to build a lighthouse. Contrary to the rest of the list below, this is one you cannot actually visit – because It can be viewed from from the coastal cities of Seaside, Cannon Beach, as well as from Ecola State Park. The northernmost lighthouse on the FunBeachFun coast is Tillamook Rock. Tillamook Rock Lighthouse – 5 Miles North Of Cannon Beach, OR Where we can, we will try to provide internet links that can provide more specific and in-depth historical detail and visitation schedules. Still others may be part of a larger museum or exhibit (so there might be fees involved). As always, we suggest calling ahead to verify access conditions. Some are in private hands…and hours of availability may vary. Many of them are still under public ownership and open to visits and tours. Here is our list (from north to south) of all the lighthouses that you can actually visit along the way. Oregon And Northern California Lighthouses You Can Visit And Explore. Unfortunately, you won’t be able to visit them – only view (and perhaps photograph) them from afar. Such places we will leave for your own, online, historical investigations. And, Cape Arago Lighthouse, near Coos Bay, has been ceded back to the Confederated Tribes and its access bridge demolished. Tillamook Rock Lighthouse is similarly perched on an hard-to-get-to rock offshore and since decommissioning has ben converted to the Eternity at Sea Columbarium. ![]() One, St George Reef Light, a few miles off shore near Crescent City, was deemed too dangerous and abandoned (though it still stands solid as a rock) and inaccessible. Some were replaced or torn down – barely leaving a trace where they once proudly stood. Some were victims of fire or natural disaster, some were victims of time and decayed into rubble. Our list would be longer if all of the lighthouses that once stood on our stretch of shoreline had survived into modern times. There was a time when Lighthouses were as essential to coastal sea-going commerce. Like all things old, there is a sense of romance about them too. The light-keepers faithfully, and often heroically, tending their lamps to keep sailors safe are a part of our history. ![]() The walls of of these structures are practically oozing with tales of danger, bravery, hardship, and loneliness from long ago. Picturesque settings are just one reasons people are drawn to lighthouses. Visiting Oregon And Northern California Lighthouses.
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