Heceta Head Light is a
lighthouse located on the Oregon Coast 13 miles north of Florence, Oregon
and 13 miles south of Yachats, Oregon, and 2 miles away from Sea Lion
Caves. It is located at Heceta Head Lighthouse State Scenic Viewpoint
(a state park) midway up a 205-foot tall headland.
 In 1892, a crew of 56 constructed the light. Because of the site's seclusion, building materials were either shipped in if the weather and tide permitted, or brought from Florence by wagon, the latter usually taking four or five hours. Stones were brought from the Clackamas River and bricks came from San Francisco. Completed in August 1893, the entire project cost $80,000 and consisted of the lighthouse, houses for the head light keeper, the two assistant light keepers and their families, a barn, and two kerosene oil storage buildings. If one caught on fire, there was a secondary source.
Heceta Head is named after the Spanish explorer Bruno de Heceta, who explored the Pacific Northwest during the late 18th century. Before him, Heceta Head was a spot of frequent fishing and hunting by the Native American tribes that populated the area. Heceta Head is part of the Siuslaw Indians' traditional lands. They hunted sea lions in the area and gathered sea bird eggs from the offshore rocks. In 1888, white settlers moved into the area and claimed 164 acres of the surrounding land. That same year U.S. Lighthouse Service approved the building of the lighthouse, and the government bought 19 acres for the lighthouse structures.
The 56-foot tall lighthouse shines a beam visible for 21 miles, making it the strongest light on the Oregon Coast. The light is maintained by the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department.
Heceta Head Light and Keepers Quarters were placed on the National
Register of Historic Places in 1978 for its architectural and engineering
significance. The site originally included several other buildings;
farm buildings plus the single-family head lighthouse keeper's house,
which was demolished in 1940, and was very similar in size and design
to the remaining house. Due to electrification the head lighthouse keeper
was no longer needed, and the house was bought for $10 and dismantled
for its lumber which was used to build Alpha Bit bookstore-cafe in Mapleton,
Oregon, which still stands today. The remaining keepers' house was a
duplex that housed the first and second assistant lighthouse keepers
and their families. After the light was automated in 1963, the last
keepers moved away and the remaining house was leased to Lane Community
College in 1970 by the U.S. Forest Service, which had taken over management
of the building. The porch of the Queen Anne-style house underwent restoration
in 1981.
An historical bridge as seen from the beach by Heceta Head Lighthouse |
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Heceta Head and neighboring islands give animals the rocky refuge they need to survive. Seabirds and sea mammals need the ocean and these islands for food and protection from predators and human harassment. Seabirds relay on rocky cliffs and islands for safe nesting sites. Seals and sea lions go out on rocks to nest and give birth. |
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Ilse Blahak walking towards the ocean and Parrot and Pinnacle Rocks |
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Lee Duquette |
Surfers in the ocean |
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Lee and Karen Duquette started up the path to Heceta Head Lighthouse. A short trail led to the historic Heceta Head lighthouse and assistant keeper's house. |
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Below:
Karen Duquette and her sister Ilse Blahak standing in front
of Heceta Head Lighthouse. |
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The light was on, but can barely be seen due to the fog. |
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The fog was so heavy that the rocks down below could barely be seen. |
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This is NOT a black and white photo. The fog was so heavy that the colors were lost. |
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