Oregon’s outstanding natural beauty varies from the rugged, snow-capped peaks of the Cascades to the breathtaking vistas along the Pacific Coast. Oregon’s enchanting coastline, traced by U.S. Route 101, is sprinkled with quaint fishing villages, seaside resorts and countless landmarks. Notorious for heavy fog and rough seas, this section of the northwest coast is graced by a string of distinctive lighthouses. Here at Yaquina Bay and the town of Newport you’ll find two of these seaside landmarks.
   The Yaquina Bay Lighthouse, a charming two story light-station, was built in 1871. Although perched on a hilltop on the northern side of the bay, the Lighthouse Board quickly decided that Yaquina Head would be the better location. The Yaquina Bay light was extinguished in 1874.
   Achieving great success on the eastern coast, the U.S. Lifesaving Service took up residence in the old dilapidated light-station in 1898. The newly formed U.S. Coast Guard, picking up the lifesaving duties, continued on at Yaquina Bay until 1933, when once again the lighthouse was abandoned.
   Headed for demolition, the lighthouse was saved by the Lincoln County Historical Society. In 1996 the lighthouse was relit, casting a six mile beam into the Pacific after 122 years of retirement.

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