Coquille River Light House...
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Coquille River Light House was the last light house built on the Oregon Coast. Even though it was last, it led mariners safely along the Oregon Coast and up the Coquille River for years to come.

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Coquille River Light House…marked the entrance to a busy port

Before the light house was even considered for construction, the Coquille River was a busy entryway into the settlements upriver. There were the captains of vessels who bypassed the dangerous river's sand bar and continued up the Oregon Coast yet there were those who took the risk to enter the Coquille River.

The river entrance was in constant flux with shifting sands. A captain never knew where the sandbars were located. He could only sound his way through the sifting sands.

Without the use of present day technology such as sonar equipment to determine depths, a captain simply used a rope with a weight on the end, dropped it overboard until it hit bottom. Measurements were taken to determine the depth. Unfortunately, this sounding technique was not full proof.

Sometimes a sand bar was too abrupt, rising off the river bottom quickly. There was not adequate time to get the sounding before running aground. And, once aground, the vessel was succumbed to the mighty Pacific's pounding waves and the river's forceful current. Consequently, the vessel usually broke up and sank.

Settlements along the river wanted more ships to enter the Coquille River. A sawmill was built upriver, providing the necessary timber for San Francisco. Produce was in ample supply waiting for the opportunity to ship out of the Coquille River Valley. The Coquille River proved to be a progressive area capable of producing commerce.

Congress Comes to the Rescue

After years of communicating with Congress about the importance of the Coquille River, a decision was finally made for the improvement of the river's mouth. (The rivers section that entered the Pacific Ocean.)

A jetty was constructed and a channel dug to provide save passage for vessels entering the river. After the improvements in the early 1880's, over a 4-year period there were one hundred sixty-six vessels that had entered safely into the Coquille River.

The Coquille River proved the importance of having a light house. Finally, in 1891 Congress appropriated the funds and the Spring of 1895 construction began. On February 29, 1896 the lamp was lit enabling mariners save passage along the Oregon Coast and into the Coquille River.

The Coquille River Light House cast its beam of light 13-miles out to sea. It's white light beamed for 28-seconds followed with a 2-second blackout. This produced a 28-second flashing light. And because of its unique light signal, mariners could navigate themselves up the Oregon Coast knowing exactly their location.

Coquille River Light House…not a bad lifestyle

Unlike most of the other Oregon Light Houses, Coquille River Light House was not in a remote location. It was fairly close to Bandon. The light keepers could make a daily trip into town. They did have their challenges though. Sand was everywhere. Located on a spit, sand was the constant infiltrator. No one escaped from sand.

There was the occasional vessel that ran aground. As good light house keepers, they lent a hand. Some vessels survived while others broke apart with the pounding waves and current.

Coquille River Light House gets radical changes

In 1939 the Coast Guard decided it was more efficient to have an automated beacon instead of manning the light house. The Coquille River Light House was no longer needed, it had served its purpose. The light house was vacant for 24-years.

In the early 1960's a State Park was created, Bullards Beach State Park. The beginnings of saving Coquille River Light House was started. In 1979 the Light House was open again, this time for public display.

When you visit the town of Bandon, absolutely stop by for a visit to the Coquille River Light House.

Be sure to visit the other Oregon Coast Light Houses.

The Editorial Staff

Northwest Travel Tips