Yaquina Bay Lighthouse In Newport, Oregon
The Yaquina Bay Lighthouse is a piece of Oregon history. It sits atop the bluff at the mouth of the Yaquina River.
Built in 1871 the lighthouse is Newport’s oldest building. It was the first of four buildings in Oregon that house both the light and the keeper’s quarters.
Today it is the last wooden lighthouse remaining and is listed in the National Register of Historic Places.
No other lighthouse on the Oregon coast had such a short period of active service.
It is a wonder that the frame structure has remained all these years as a monument to the past despite years of abuse and long periods of abandonment.
It is probably the oldest standing building in Newport.
Life At The LighthouseThe lighthouse board hired Keeper Charles Pierce at a salary of $1,000 per year. He and his wife Sarah lived in the lighthouse with ten children.
Charles Peirce was stationed at Cape Blanco then was appointed to the new Yaquina Bay Lighthouse when it opened.
He brought his wife and family of nine children with him. A tenth child was born in the new lighthouse in 1872.
When this lighthouse was closed on October 1, 1874, he, with his family, went back to duty at Cape Blanco.
There was, of course, no electricity in those days and rainwater was collected in a cistern and then pumped into the kitchen by hand.
Can you imagine using a wood-burning stove to cook meals for so many people? How about doing laundry for a family of twelve by hand?
Lighthouse Decommissioned
It soon became apparent that the light was not as visible as needed so the government decommissioned it in 1874. It was only active for 3 years.
The original Fifth Order lens is long gone, and the structure has experienced lengthy periods of neglect, but today it is immaculately restored and filled with period furniture. The light was re-activated in 1996.
The fact that the frame structure has remained all these years as a monument to the past despite years of abuse and long periods of abandonment is a miracle.
The lighthouse has been fully restored and has become one of the leading tourist attractions for the city of Newport.
It stands majestic in the center of a state park overlooking the entrance to Yaquina River bar.
| Yaquina Bay Lighthouse is operated by
Oregon Parks and Recreation Department, Newport, Oregon
Visitor Hours: Memorial Day through September
11 a.m. - 5 p.m. Daily
October to Memorial Day: Noon to 4 pm Daily. |
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Historical Site
The lighthouse was constantly improved as was the park surrounding it.The lighthouse was finally accepted on the National Register of Historic Places. The Friends of Yaquina Bay Lighthouse Association was organized to assist the Oregon State Parks Department in the enhancement and improvement of educational and interpretation functions. The Lincoln county Historical Society was satisfied that all details were worked out properly before relinquishing operation of the lighthouse to Oregon State Parks.
Lighthouse Open To The Public
The lighthouse is accessible via paved trails and a walkway that lead to the top of the hill within the Yaquina Bay State Park, at the north end of the Yaquina Bay Bridge in Newport. Access-compromised visitor groups are encouraged to use the large parking lot at the back of the lighthouse (entrance at SW Government and 9th Streets).
If you plan to visit this lighthouse don’t forget your binoculars and camera with plenty of film.The view is spectacular and you can see for miles. It is a lot of fun to watch as the ships come into the harbor. You can stand there and look out over the pacific ocean and imagine what it was link many years ago.
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