Oregon Light Houses...
|
They've stood strong against the elements of bashing waves, thunderous weathering conditions and time. Now, they are a live relic, standing proudly along the Oregon Coast, waiting for the opportunity to help a mariner in distress.
Visit A Light House...
Take the plunge, if you haven't already, visit one of the Oregon Light Houses. You'll get a glimpse back into time and our maritime hertigage will spring forward.
Oregon Light Houses...from Cape Disappointment in the North to Cape Blanco in the South. You are in for a spectular treat. Each of the nine public Oregon Light Houses have a uniqueness to them.
North to South
Cape Disappointment (Located in Washington but serves the Oregon Coast).
The Light House has a Personality...
If you have had the opportunity to visit any of the Oregon Light Houses, you would have known that each one has it's own unique personality. You can almost hear the story that they want to share. They have to sit in the blistering sun and squelching rain, never looking back. They cannot run for cover, for that's what they provide. Night after night, their beam of light cuts through the darkness, like a knife, providing a safe haven to mariners.
Myself, having the opportunity to sail thousands of miles across oceans, the beam from a light house is a welcoming site, even in this day and age of sophisticated navigation equipment.
If you have a fondness for Light Houses, you can, in some cases purchase your own liveable light house. The Federal Government established the opportunity for organizations to purchase a light house. There are stipulations that one must abide by, but if you have the desire, a light house is available somewhere for you.
There's also the opportunity to live at a light house as the caretaker. There are some locations that are too expensive for the Fed's to manage. They've allowed the hiring of civilians to act as live-in care takers. A good friend of mine applied for this position at a nearby light house. Unfortunately, another individual was hired.
It All Began...
Along the coastal waters of the United States, including the Oregon Coast, the light house went into a major construction stage during the 1800's. The maritime industry was growing rapidly. It was the cheapest and fastest way to transport goods Internationally and along coastal waters. To support the growing economy, Congress appropriated millions of dollars for the construction of these special lights. Each proposal went before congress and was approved. It was a rather tedious process.
To aquire a light house required a recognized need. Usually Captains of vessels made their demands with the Port of Call. If their voices were loud enough, a survey team scoped out the possible area. If the team felt it was a viable request they put their recommendations into the Light House Commission. The Commission then submitted the proposal to Congress.
It took several months for Congress to approve the construction of a light house. From the time the survey team submitted their proposal, it could take up to two-years before Congress approved the funds. Then once approved, it could take another two-years for the construction.
The construction time varied. Depending upon the remoteness of the construction area and how easily supplies were able to reach the construction site. Along the Oregon Coast, mostly rugged terrain without coastal roads, constructions went on for months, often with loss of a life.
Supply ships were often put into danger when they had to off-load their construction supplies. Washing against jagged rocks was not an uncommon thing. Captains were constantly using extreme caution; however, at times the sea took over and sunk the supply ship.
The Light House is a monument that served its time and now serves us as a window into the past. Thanks to the National Parks Service and many private organizations, the light house will remain for generations to come. They have a special place in forging the Maritime Industry. Without the light house, our maritime commerce industry would not be what it is today. The Oregon Coast would not be what it is today if it wasn't for the Oregon Light Houses.
A Little Histroy...Oregon Light Houses
The beginnings of the Oregon light houses began when the Pacific Northwest became a U.S. Territory back in 1848. The coastal areas was dominated with the Native Americans conducting their lively hood of primarily fishing.
In 1848, the gold-rush began in California creating a need for more supplies. Lumber and food supplies were needed to host the many people moving into the California area. The Oregon Coast was a fertile ground for the resources. Local settlements throughout Oregon flourished by providing timber and grains to the support the high demand in California.
The maritime trade grew along the Oregon Coast requiring Congress to take a serious look at investing into the Oregon Coast Light House. With the increase in shipping activities it did not take them long to authorize the needed funds for Oregon light houses.
It wasn't until 1853 that the first of Oregon light houses began construction, Cape Disappointment. (Cape Disappointment is located in Washington, however, we have included this light house because it serves the Oregon Coast shining it's beacon of light across the mouth of the Columbia River.)
The Fresnel Lens was the state-of-the-art technology in the 1800's. The lens was capable of taking a kerosene lamp and focusing it into a powerful beam of light. The len's were handcrafted in Europe with precision.
It was the Light House Keepers responsibility to keep the light burning. Often, their daily chores was carrying gallons of fuel up the long spiral stair cases by day and keeping the light lite by nite. And, they had to keep up the maintaince on the light house itself. The Oregon Light Houses are directly exposed to severe weather. It was quite the chore for the on-going painting.
The Light Houses was also subject to fires. With the flammable liquids in abundant supply, a fire was just waiting to happen. And it was not uncommon to hear about a Light House fire. It wasn't until the 1930's that the Light Houses began making the necessary changes. The U.S. Coastguard took charge of them and began implementing the changes from fuel to electricity. In the 1960's the change began to one of automation, replacing the Light House Keepers.
Now with the sophisticated navigation systems, radar, GPS and the like, the Light Houses serve more as a historical maker. They, however, continue to shine their beacons of light out to sea, guiding maritime vessels and bringing the maritime essence across the home along the Oregon Coast.
Sincerely,
The Editorial Staff
Northwest Travel Tips
