Yaquina Bay Light

Yaquina Bay Light. . Yaquina Bay Light , Oregon's shortest-lived lighthouse: Why?, In 1873, a first order light was to have been constructed on Cape Foulweather, eight miles to the north. However, with difficulties in landing, and without road transport to the cape, materials for construction were off-loaded at Yaquina Head, and the lighthouse was built there … only four miles away!, Because it was a stronger light, the government elected to keep the light at Yaquina Head burning and extinguish the one at Yaquina Bay., Yaquina Bay light was extinguished October 1, 1874 and was never lit again., Caprions , (top left) , . Yaquina Bay Lighthouse was built in 1871, and is situated on 32 acres bought from early settlers Lester and Sophronia Baldwin for $500 in gold. It was designated as a harbor entrance light and was equipped with a Fresnel lens. , . The original plans were drawn in 1871, but by the time construction was begun in May of that year, the plans were altered to fit the needs of the lighthouse keeper's family. , (top right) The people of Newport and the Lincoln County Historical Society were behind the effort to save the lighthouse from the bulldozer in 1934. Oregon State Parks began restoration in 1974 and in 1975 the lighthouse was once again open to the public. It has been placed on the list of National Historic Places. , (bottom right) The Fresnel Lens was developed by Augustin Fresnel, a native of France. The lens is a series of prismatic rings. This arrangement magnifies the light, making it visible many miles seaward., (Photo credits: Lincoln County Historical Society)