Oregonians are well aware of the stunning beauty of our state, and we welcome tourists from all over the world who want to soak in the scenery as well. It shouldn’t be surprising at all to learn that the Oregon coast is home to the most-photographed lighthouse in the country, and if you’ve visited the coast a few times, we’re pretty sure you have a photo or two of this iconic light in your scrapbook.
The Heceta Head lighthouse sits high on a cliff, 205 feet above the waves below. You’ll find it halfway between Yachats and Florence.
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The iconic light and its light keeper’s house were built in 1894, and were added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1978.
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The lighthouse stands 56 feet tall. It underwent a complete renovation between 2011 and 2013, restoring it to its original appearance.
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The Fresnel lens sends its warning beams 21 miles out to sea, and is the strongest light on the Oregon coast.
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When it first went into service, the lighthouse was manned by a head light keeper and two assistants. Their families all lived on the property, which included a house for the head light keeper, a duplex for the two assistants and their families, a barn, and two kerosene storage buildings.
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In 1963, the lighthouse was automated, and the last light keeper and his family moved out. Most of the buildings were torn down, but the assistant light keepers’ duplex remained. It was renovated in the early 1980s, and is now a B&B where guests can stay overnight.
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When you visit, you’ll want to take the half-mile trail from the light keeper’s cottage up to the lighthouse itself.
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Get an up-close look at this pretty light, and imagine what it would have been like to live and work here on Heceta Head.
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If you find yourself nearby at night, look for the brilliant beam of night, sweeping across the watery landscape…
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…and if you’re there during the day, make sure to take plenty of photos. After all, Heceta Head Lighthouse is the most photographed in the country!
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We’d love to see your photos of Heceta Head and its lighthouse in the comments!
By Kurt Stricker/Moment Collection via Getty Images
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Photography by Deb Snelson/Moment Collection via Getty Images
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Joel Carillet/iStock via Getty Images
Rachael B/Tripadvisor
King Wu/E+ via Getty Images
Rene Frederick/Photodisc via Getty Images
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Address: Heceta Head Lighthouse, 725 Summer St, Florence, OR 97439, USA
