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Heceta Head Light House...
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The History Behind the Light...
Heceta Head Light House has it's original Fresnel Lens, after all these years. This light house is another original class of beauty staked along the Oregon Coast. It all began when the Spanish explorer, Don Bruno de Heceta sailed along Oregon's Coast. Little did he know an outcrop of land would be named after him, Heceta Head.
Congress was busy in the later 1800's authorizing monies for light house stations throughout the U.S. Again, they appropriated the money, $80,000, for the land purchase and construction of the Light House. ($80,000 in the later 1800's was no "chump change".)
Light Houses were an investment into the maritime industry, a necessity for safe travel of cargo and passengers. Finally, in 1889, the land was purchased and construction began. (It actually took nearly $180,000 to complete the project. In today's dollars that could rise above $3,000,000.)
Due to severe weather, lots of blasting and clearing for the preparation of the light house, construction was completed in August of 1893; however, the light house was still lacking its lens. It wasn't until the end of 1893 the NEW Fresnel Lens arrived from France. This lens was a piece of art. It had a mechanism that allowed the light to shine a beam of light out to sea 21-miles and flashed white for 8-seconds during every 1-minute interval. This was technology advancing itself along the Oregon Coast.
Also take note, there was no Highway 101 to transport supplies along the coast. Supplies reached their destinations either directly by ship or a road had to be built. Building a road through rugged terrain is no simple task. It took weeks.
Finally, all of the pieces came together, the lens; the lamp and the Heceta Head Light House shined its beam of light out to sea on March 30, 1894. The 56-foot tower on top of Heceta Head allowed the beam of light to protrude over 205-feet above the pounding surf. This height, and brightness of light from the Fresnel Lens, enabled the beam of light to travel 21-miles out to sea.
Due to the remoteness of the light house, many times during the year the road from Florence was impassable. The keepers simply waited it out for supplies. During calm seas, a vessel could make it's way to Heceta Head and off-load supplies but calm seas were a rarity.
The Keepers were creative, growing their own vegetables and hunting was a needed past time to support themselves and families that lived on the premises.
Outside of providing food for the table, the Keepers responsibilities were on a daily basis, clean the glass on the lens, polish the lamp and service the light-flashing mechanism. If you've ever burned kerosene before, you know the soot it can leave behind. The glass on the lens, after a night of burning, would build up with soot. It was imperative the glass was cleaned daily; otherwise, the beam of light was restricted.
The early 1900's began the construction of highway 101. There were sections of road built between towns. It wasn't until 1932 that a passable roadway led into Heceta Head. Shortly, thereafter, in 1932 electricity came to the area. Soon, the light bulb replaced the dirty fuel lamp and an electric motor replaced the flashing mechanical mechanism.
During World War II, Heceta Head Light House was used as a sea search area. Troops moved in, constantly surveying the Pacific for Japanese vessels.
After the war, the Light House became quiet again. July 20, 1963, the light house became fully automated. The keepers were a thing of the past, a legend.
Over the years, restoration projects were underway by various groups. Finally in 1993 the Coast Guard finished the complete restoration project.
Get Your Camera Ready...
Heceta Head Light House makes a great photograph. There are several vantage points near and around Florence. To get to the Light House, follow highway 101 towards Florence, look for Heceta Head State Park. From Florence, drive 13 miles north on Hwy 101. You'll get to the Light House Scenic Viewpoint. You'll see the most powerful beacon along the Oregon Coast, the Heceta Head Light House, and a popular vantage point for photographers. It's worth every minute.
Experience The Magic...
Now, if you want to experience some magic, visit the Heceta Head Light House at night. Guest's who stay at the Light House are given a flash light to make the night journey a little less cumbersome. (Notice I said guests...You can stay at the Light House, it's a wonderful Romantic Getaway. Call 866-547-3696 and make your reservation.)
Once you reach the base of the Light House, at night, you will begin to experience the magic of the Fresnel Lens. A truly amazing experience for all. The Kids really love this part of the Light House...They talk about it for days!
For information about the tours of the Heceta Head Light House, call the Oregon State Parks, Honeymoon State Park, 541-997-3851.
Be sure to check out the other Oregon Coast Light Houses and the Light House Gifts.
Enjoy the magic at the Heceta Head Light House,
Craig & Maria Dahl - The Travel Experts
Senior Editors
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