March 30 is 132nd-Year Celebration at Oregon Coast's Beloved Heceta Head Lighthouse

Published 03/04/26 at 5:55 a.m.
By Oregon Coast Beach Connection Staff

(Florence, Oregon) – Oregon's famed Heceta Head Lighthouse is about to turn 132 years old, and she doesn't look a year over 100.

Those who run the lighthouse and next door BnB (once the keepers quarters) are inviting the public to head out to Heceta Head on March 30 for the 132nd Birthday of Heceta Head Lightstation. It runs noon to 3 p.m.

You'll hear about the history of Heceta Head and its keepers, enjoy live music, play games, and participate in their summer raffle to win excellent prizes. Scarf down complimentary hot dogs (provided by Taylor's Sausage), and there will be other refreshments as well as cookies and cupcakes.

See https://www.hecetalighthouse.com/

Construction on the lighthouse began in 1892, and the light was first lit on March 30, 1894. Work unfolded in phases, starting with the keepers' home, which still stands today and is one of the few remaining on the Oregon coast. During World War II, the Navy established a significant presence here, building barracks, a mess hall, and other facilities. Seventy-five men were stationed on site, along with a pack of dogs used to patrol central coast beaches.

Courtesy Keepers of Heceta Head Lightstation

The last lighthouse keeper retired in 1963, and the operation has been automated ever since. He was actually the last keeper on the spooky Tillamook Rock a few years before.

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Summer tours of the lighthouse itself (March-October) happen 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. and in the winter (November-February), but only if weather and staffing allow. However, you cannot go to the top anymore. These are guided tours of the bottom area, and they do not take reservations.

It's best to call 541-547-3416 for details for those tours.

Oregon Coast Beach Connection

Years ago, park volunteer Ben Ervin spoke with Oregon Coast Beach Connection officials stopped offering trips to the top quite some time ago, and there's little chance they'll return. The main concern is the narrow spiral staircase leading to the light, which can only handle so much wear.

Heceta Head Lighthouse Florence, Oregon Coast Virtual Tour

“There's a lot of wear and tear on the stairway,” Ervin said. “It wasn't built to accommodate thousands of people a year. It's rather unique, and not like a lot of other lighthouses, in that the spiral stairway is only connected at the top. There's not more than one landing along the way.”

That design has helped fuel a long-running rumor that the lighthouse itself vibrates in strong winds. Ervin said the shaking people feel is simply the stairway flexing under footsteps, creating the impression that the whole tower is moving.

“There's no way the tower moves,” he said.

Even so, the top of the lighthouse can play tricks on you. When the wind picks up and gusts push through the structure, it's easy to believe the tower is swaying. “I've been up there too, and when the wind is really blowing, and there's puffs of air that come through, you swear it's moving,” Ervin said.

Despite the restricted access, Heceta Head Lighthouse remains an active navigational aid. Mariners rely on GPS and electronic systems now, but if equipment fails, the lighthouse is still a dependable backup. If the light ever goes out, Ervin noted, maritime authorities must be notified.

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