Windy, Raging Cape Blanco on S. Oregon Coast Gets Warm for Holidays

Published 12/14/23 at 5:05 p.m.
By Oregon Coast Beach Connection staff

(Port Orford, Oregon) – One of the windiest, wildest places on the south Oregon coast gets especially warm for the holidays. In comes to the “Spirit of Community Christmas” to the raging waters of the Port Orford area's Cape Blanco, eight scattered days throughout December that cause the Historic Hughes House near the famed lighthouse to glow.

All events are free at the Cape Blanco State Park celebration, starting with two tea happ's December 15 and 16 (which are already booked up), and then six days of richly-layered fun on the south Oregon coast headland from December 17 through 22.

The Port Orford Main Street Christmas Teas on the 15th and 16th, but organizers at the Cape Blanco Heritage Society say these are already booked up.

On December 17, the Hughes will feature a concert by local classical group Just Jensens, a woodwind ensemble put together by the sisters in the Jensen family. That starts at 2 p.m.

“Following the musical event, the Hughes House will be open to the public for five days leading up to Christmas,” organizers said.

From December 18 through December 22, the Hughes House is open from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. It's a rare glimpse in winter, as the Oregon coast attraction isn't usually open during the season. You'll be able to talk to volunteers and ask questions about the extravagant home.

The Hughes House is a 1898-built, historic, Victorian stunner that was essentially a farmhouse. Patrick and Jane Hughes had a very successful dairy ranch on the property, and after 30 years they commissioned builder Pehr Johan Lindberg to design and construct the comfortable, two-story home.

“The home is on the National Register of Historic Places and is a popular attraction for visitors to the Southern Oregon Coast,” said organizers. “You can learn more about ranch life more than 100 years ago and about the couple’s seven children, one of whom was a longtime keeper at Cape Blanco Lighthouse.”

Also see S. Oregon Coast's Cape Blanco Light Fundraising for 'Dire' Need of Repairs

You can also learn more about Lindberg, the history of this south Oregon coast landmark and more.

Much depends on the weather at temperamental Cape Blanco, said the society's executive director, Rebecca Malamud-Evans. That one possible last-minute addition to the lineup of events.

“I always encourage people to keep aware of local weather reports before venturing out,” she told Oregon Coast Beach Connection. “If there is enough interest and the weather cooperates, we plan to have an evening encore event as the lights in the home at night would be enchanting.”

Luckily, Malamud-Evans said, there is shelter from the howling south coast winds here. Cape Blanco is, after all, one of the western-most spots along the entire continental west.

“The pioneer home is in a nestled valley near the mouth of the Sixes River about a mile before you reach the Cape Blanco Lighthouse at its exposed westerly point,” she said.

Just Jensens are a combo of sisters who grew up in the area, performing a mix of contemporary and classical music in unique woodwind arrangements.

See https://www.capeblancoheritagesociety.com/events.html for more

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Andre' GW Hagestedt is editor, owner and primary photographer / videographer of Oregon Coast Beach Connection, an online publication that sees over 1 million pageviews per month. He is also author of several books about the coast.

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