|
|
|
Coquille River
Lighthouse
(February 29,
1896)
|
Construction for the Coquille River Lighthouse first began in 1891.
There were a number of delays that kept the lighthouse from finally being lit
on February 29, 1896. In 1939,
just 43 years later, the lighthouse was abandoned - its
duties were replaced by an automated beacon. The
lighthouse was forgotten for some time, and then in 1976 the
US Army Corps and the Oregon State Parks renovated the
lighthouse.
Like the other lighthouses on the Oregon Coast, the Coquille
River Lighthouse was home to a number of
stories through the years. The schooner "Moro"
struck the bar in 1897. After all the cargo was emptied
from the ship, they still couldn't free it. Moro was a
total loss. Then in 1905 another schooner,
"Advance," hit the north jetty almost hitting the
lighthouse. Fortunately this schooner was set free
shortly after.  In 1936, the town of
Bandon was destroyed
by a large forest fire - only 16 buildings were left standing!
In
1991, the lighthouse's centennial anniversary, a new light was
lit in the Coquille River tower. While the exterior is
free to be explored, the doors to the inside are seldom open
to the public! I recommend visiting this lighthouse and
Bullards Beach State Park surrounding it. Like most of
the Oregon Coast, this is a beautiful area to visit.
To find the Coquille River Lighthouse look for the entrance to
Bullards Beach State Park just north of Bandon before you
cross the Coquille River Bridge.
|
|
* Nelson, Sharlene & Ted.
Umbrella Guide to Oregon Lighthouses.
Epicenter Press Inc. 1994.
Top Right Picture by Joe Klune
|
|
All rights reserved by NWcoast.com LLC
Contact NWcoast.com - Privacy Policy - Advertising - Link to Us
|
