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On the northern coast of California, just minutes away from the Redwoods and off Highway 101, is Battery Point Lighthouse—one of the oldest operating lighthouses in the state.

This was the last official lighthouse to be constructed on the Oregon Coast. The only building left standing is the lighthouse, and all of the other buildings have been destroyed. This is one of nine surviving, federally funded lighthouses in the state.

Cape Blanco State Park is off Route 101 north of Port Orford, Oregon. It is the southernmost of Oregon’s lighthouses and is the westernmost point in Oregon.

The Cape Disappointment Lighthouse was established in 1856, making it one of the oldest lighthouses on the West Coast of the United States. Its creation was prompted by the treacherous waters of the Columbia River Bar, known for its dangerous currents and frequent shipwrecks. The lighthouse was built to guide vessels safely through these perilous waters, and its light has been a beacon of hope for mariners for over a century.

The North Head Lighthouse was commissioned in 1890, built to complement the existing Cape Disappointment Lighthouse. Its construction was a response to the increasing number of shipwrecks in the area, particularly at the mouth of the Columbia River, where the turbulent waters posed a significant threat to vessels.

The Lightship Columbia was commissioned in 1892 and served as a floating lighthouse for over 50 years. It was stationed at the mouth of the Columbia River, guiding ships safely through the treacherous waters where the river meets the Pacific Ocean. The vessel was equipped with a powerful light and a foghorn, which were essential for navigation in the often foggy conditions of the region.

Cape Meares Lighthouse was built to address the growing need for navigational aids along the treacherous waters of the Pacific Ocean. The lighthouse was commissioned after numerous shipwrecks in the area, prompting the U.S. Lighthouse Board to take action. Constructed from local materials, the lighthouse was designed to withstand the harsh coastal weather while providing a reliable light source for passing vessels.

A piece of Oregon history sits atop a bluff at the mouth of the Yaquina River. It is the Yaquina Bay Lighthouse, built in 1871 and decommissioned in 1874. It was officially restored as a privately maintained aid to navigation on December 7, 1996.