Heceta Head Lighthouse, Oregon

The Heceta Head Lighthouse is a 56-foot tall structure perched on a curved cliff on the west side of Heceta Head. The cliff stands 25 feet above the Pacific Ocean and is located just 12 miles North of Florence, Oregon. Known as Oregon's most powerful lighthouse, the tower flashes a white beam of light for eight seconds every minute. This beam can be seen for 21 miles up and down Oregon's Pacific coast.

In 1862, United States Coast Surveyor George Davidson would name Heceta Head after Spanish explorer Bruno de Hezeta y Dudagoitia , who traveled to the Pacific Coast in 1775 on a special expedition on behalf of the Spanish crown. Heceta's goal was to explore the coastline between Mexico and Alaska with the intention of expanding Spanish influence.

Many of Heceta's crew would fall ill of scurvy, forcing him to end his journey prematurely and return to Mexico. However, Heceta would be the first to map and record a written description of the entrance to the Columbia River in August of 1775.

For many years, the Oregon Coastline was missing a lighthouse for a 90-mile stretch between Yaquina Head and Cape Arago, leaving mariners to travel in darkness unable to see. For this reason, the United States Lighthouse Board would recommend the construction of a lighthouse on Heceta Head.

The United States Congress would appropriate $80,000 for the lighthouse's construction in 1889. Two years later, in 1891, the US Government would purchase 19 acres of land from homesteaders Welcome E. and Dolly Warren, who had claimed a 164 acres just a few years prior.

In this same year, the Department of the Interior would allot 239 acres of public land for the preservation of the lighthouse and possible future expansion. This allotment was also meant to prevent others from encroaching on the land.

Construction of the lighthouse would be completed in August of 1893; however, the lighthouse would not become operational until March 30, 1894. The first keeper of Heceta Head Lighthouse was Andrew Hald. Due to Heceta Head's remote location, a post office and schoolhouse were constructed on the land and serviced the Keeper's children and nearby farmers.

In 1934, the lighthouse would become electrified. During this same year, George F. Rigby would survey Heceta Head and the surrounding area. Rigby would complete this task in October of 1935. A map of the survey plat is pictured above. In July of 1963, the lighthouse would become fully automated, no longer needing a keeper.