Heceta Head Lighthouse State Park is an unbelievable place to visit on the scenic Oregon Coast
The lighthouse was constructed between 1892 and 1893 and was listed in
the National Register of Historic Places in 1978. The head lightkeeper’s
house was demolished and the lumber purchased for $10 in 1940
following the move from kerosene to electricity to power the lighthouse.
The salvaged wood was used to construct the Alpha-Bit Café in nearby
Mapleton. The state of Oregon was granted a license to use the
lighthouse and surrounding property by the Coast Guard in 1963, the same
year that the lighthouse became fully automated. The assistant
lightkeeper’s house, which still stands, is now a bed and breakfast
operated by concessionaires of the U.S. Forest Service.
Before hiking up to the beautiful historic lighthouse we enjoyed playing on the beach a while. The forecast had called for cloudy skies and wind.. instead it was clear and warm. Lovely!
Grady & I with our youngest blessings
Laura 7, Grace 9, Grant 15, Ryan 19, Mandy 23, Ashley 25
We decided to hike up to the renovated lighthouse and old assistant light keepers home
The main Lightkeepers home had been torn down decades before but the Assistant lighthouse keeper's quarters have been converted to a beautiful B&B
Of course we had to stop at the gift shop half way up the hill!
Much to Rye's delight!! mmmmm!
The view from the pathway up to the lighthouse was breathtaking!
We were able to enjoy the last tour of the day. It was very interesting to hear how the Lightkeeper families had lived their lives in the late 1800's here at Heceta Head. Essentially isolated from other people they enjoyed library books that would be brought in monthly on horseback, along with the local and national news.. and occasionally at a very low tide, the families would hurriedly hitch up their buggies and travel via the sandy shore to Florence where they could get supplies. Haste must be made however or they would be stranded in town after the tide came in!
It was facinating to hear about the specialty glass that is used even today for the reflecting light of the lighthouse. Once it was illuminated by oil lamp now is electric. (much easier to keep clean now than in the era of kerosene!)
We hiked up the hill behind the lighthouse to get a closer look at the glass and windows.
Then it was time to head back down the path to the car!
The boys taking one more look from above. While we were standing there Amanda noticed a large splash out in the ocean.. upon further observation a nearby Park Ranger told us they were Orca whales that were migrating! It had been the first time this year they had seen the Orcas.It was spectacular to watch them surface and splash back down!
"race ya!"
Laura, spoiled with her gifts and ice cream from the gift shop (which of course we *had* to visit again on our way down!)
Sweethearts, enjoying their blessings
It was a glorious day...
To be together as a family...
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