Have you ever climbed the stairs of a lighthouse? Wondered what
it was like to be a lighthouse keeper? Viewed a working lens?
We invite you to visit Yaquina Head Lighthouse, where these questions
and more will be answered, as you tour this historic structure, however the lighthouse will remain closed during the renovation expected to take several months. See the "Extreme Makeover" link above to the News Times article with a photo of the scaffolding surrounding the tower in January 2006.
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.
The light has been active since Head Keeper Fayette Crosby walked up
the 114 steps, to light the wicks on the evening of August 20, 1873.
At that time the oil burning fixed white light was displayed from sunset
to sunrise. Today, the fully automated first order Fresnel lens runs
on commercial power and flashes its unique pattern of 2 seconds on, 2 seconds
off, 2 seconds on, 14 seconds off, 24 hours a day. The oil burning
wicks have been replaced with a 1000 watt globe that according to the US
Coast Guard, keepers of the aid to navigation, generates over 130,000 candlepower.
The nightly vigil of watching the light is gone as are the resident
keepers and their quarters, but the staff of the Bureau of Land Management,
who are now responsible for the tower, guide you through the lighthouse
with tales of yesteryear.
Schedule
Summer hours are:
Interpretive Center open 9-5
Light house - normally open 9-4, however the lighthouse will remain closed during the renovation expected to take several months. See the "Extreme Makeover" link above to the News Times article with a photo of the scaffolding surrounding the tower in January 2006.
Fall hours (beginning Tuesday Sept 7):
Interpretive Center open 10-5
Lighthouse: Monday through Friday: self-guided tours 12-4. See closure note above.
Saturday and Sunday: ranger-led tours begin on the 1/2 hour
from 9-11:30. Self-guided tours 12-4
Winter hours(begin Nov 1)
Interpretive Center open 10-4
Lighthouse: self-guided tours 12-4. See closure note above.
The Interpretive Store in the Interpretive Center may be reached
at (541) 574-3116.
Yaquina Head Outstanding Natural Area is the home of "Quarry Cove."
This former rock quarry is now converted to a man-made system of living
tidepools. It is accessible to all by a series of concrete pathways navigable
by wheelchair! Consult a local
tide table to plan your visit to coincide with low tide so you may
enjoy this world class, unique feature!
In May of 1997 the new interpretive center was opened at Yaquina
Head Outstanding Natural Area. The center features exhibits
related to many features of the area and a well stocked interpretive
store. Proceeds from store sales directly benefits Friends of Yaquina Lighthouses, as they are used for lighthouse interpretation and maintenance.
Fees
Entrance fees are charged at Yaquina Head Outstanding Area.
Fees are $5 per car, which includes a three day pass. An annual
pass may be purchased for $10, or you may obtain one with membership
to Yaquina Lighthouses, Inc. Members of Friends of Yaquina Lighthouses may enter
free.
Pacific Coast Passport A
new type of annual pass called the Pacific
Coast Passport has just been offered that will allow access to
a variety of Oregon coast locations. They are also available at the entrance
booth or the interpretive center for $35 a year or a 5 day passport for
$10.
Continue your unique lighthouse visit by traveling five miles south
to the Yaquina Bay Lighthouse. Yaquina Bay also listed on the National
Register of Historic Places, and is believed to be the oldest remaining
structure in Newport.
Friends of Yaquina Lighthouses Home
Page updated
February 3, 2006
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