Video: Central Oregon Coast Lighthouse Finally Gets Lantern Back After Winds Interfere

Published 08/12/25 at 6:25 p.m.
By Oregon Coast Beach Connection Staff

(Newport, Oregon) – If it seems possible a bright, sunny day could be a bummer, that's just what happened on the central Oregon coast Monday when crews scheduled to put the light back into the Yaquina Bay Lighthouse were thwarted by windy weather.

Of all things, in comes a foggy day to save the day. Early Tuesday morning, crews successfully lifted and installed the 11,000-pound lantern atop the Yaquina Bay Lighthouse, signaling the final stages of a $1.8 million exterior restoration project.

You can see video of the somewhat dramatic operation here.

The lift, postponed Monday due to high winds, proceeded smoothly Tuesday morning with no gusts to hinder the crane’s precision. The lantern was secured in less than five minutes, returning to its rightful place after a journey to Alabama for specialized restoration work by Allen Architectural Metals, a firm nationally recognized for its expertise in cast metal preservation.

“This restoration will help protect the lighthouse for generations to come,” said Brian McBeth, historic architecture project manager for Oregon Parks and Recreation Department (OPRD). “In the next couple of weeks, we will finish up the remaining carpentry work on the exterior, touch up small areas with paint and remove the scaffolding. We’re excited to reopen the historic structure to visitors.”

Once the scaffolding and protective sheeting are removed, visitors will see the full scope of the restoration, which included repairs to the roof framing, chimney, brick foundation, lantern, siding, doors, and windows, along with a new roof and fresh exterior paint. The work is designed to shield the more than 150-year-old structure from the harsh coastal elements.

Built in 1871, Yaquina Bay Lighthouse is the only surviving wooden lighthouse on the Oregon coast and the last remaining example in the state of a combined lighthouse and keeper’s quarters. It is one of four historic lighthouses maintained by OPRD, alongside Cape Meares, Heceta Head, and Coquille River lighthouses.

No other lighthouses in the state even have their keeper's quarters - except Heceta Head near Florence. That one is a BnB.

Yacquina Bay Lighthouse's signal tower undergoing work in the 2010s

OPRD oversees hundreds of historic buildings across Oregon and dedicates a portion of its biennial project funds to restoration and preservation efforts. Another upcoming project includes renovations to the central Oregon coast's Cape Foulweather Gift Shop at Otter Crest.

The Yaquina Bay Lighthouse will remain closed through Sept. 30, 2025, to complete restoration work. Once reopened, regular hours will resume: noon to 4 p.m., Wednesday through Sunday, with closures on Mondays and Tuesdays. Hours may vary depending on volunteer staffing and weather conditions.

SEE Landmarks and Legends of an Oregon Coast Lighthouse, Newport's Yaquina Bay, Part 1 

Oregon Coast History: Newport's Yaquina Bay Lighthouse and Trying Times

Hotels in Newport - Where to eat - Newport Maps and Virtual Tours (Find every single beach access in the area)

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