Coquille River Lighthouse
by Joan Carroll
Title
Coquille River Lighthouse
Artist
Joan Carroll
Medium
Photograph - Digital Photograph
Description
I thought I had only one more lighthouse to visit in Oregon but then I looked at my map and realized I was about to miss Coquille River Lighthouse in Bandon, OR. I don't know why coming upon this lighthouse was such a delightful surprise, but it was. The setting is perfect! It's not a massive lighthouse sitting on a dramatic headlands like some of the other west coast lighthouses, but its lovely rustic setting on a beach with grasses and driftwood is quite photogenic. This lighthouse is now a part of Bullards Beach State Park. It served as an active light station from 1895 until 1939, guiding mariners past the dangerous shifting sandbars into the Coquille River and harbor at Bandon. In September 1936, a large wildfire swept through the surrounding area, and destroyed most of Bandon. The town soon became bankrupt as a result of the decline in shipping. Coquille Light was shut down in 1939 and replaced by an automated light on the south jetty. It was abandoned by the Coast Guard in 1939, after which it was left to deteriorate and fall victim to vandals. The lighthouse stood neglected for twenty-four years, until Bullards Beach State Park was created on the north side of the river. The grounds of the original eleven-acre light station were included in the park, and the park assumed responsibility for the lighthouse. The damage inflicted on the lighthouse by time and vandals was too much for the park system to reverse by itself, but a joint restoration effort involving Oregon State Parks and the Army Corps of Engineers was launched in 1976. The lighthouse's roof was repaired, bricks were replaced, and the structure received a fresh coat of paint before it was opened to the public. Currently there is no light in the tower, but a climb to the tower gives wonderful views of the surrounding area, and the volunteers maintaining the tower are fun to visit with.
FEATURED PHOTO, 500 Views -1 Image a Day group, 11/23/14
FEATURED PHOTO, 3 a day AAA Images, 11/21/14
FEATURED PHOTO, Images That Excite You group, 11/21/14
Uploaded
July 11th, 2014
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Viewed 3,702 Times - Last Visitor from New York, NY on 03/28/2024 at 2:30 AM
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Comments (61)
Sharon Elliott
This is one of my favorite places that I have visited and camped at. You have done a beautiful job capturing it. SE promoted with 25 clicks. SE
NAVIN JOSHI
Coquille River Lighthouse AWESOME lightouse picture and the grand sky.. Navin LF fb share
John Bailey
Congratulations on being featured in the Fine Art America Group "Images That Excite You!"