Oregon’s tallest lighthouse celebrates its 150th anniversary this weekend.
Yaquina Head lighthouse.
Courtesy of Bureau Of Land Management Of Oregon And Washington
The 93-foot high Yaquina Head lighthouse north of Newport has aided navigation since Aug. 20, 1873.
The Bureau of Land Management manages the 100-acre property. This weekend, there will be rangers on hand to help identify critters in the tide pools and host an art show and contest.
In addition, BLM spokesperson Sarah Bennett said visitors may feel like they’ve stepped back in time. “Folks will notice there will be Victorian-era lighthouse keepers teaching children Victorian-era games and tending the house garden that would have fed lighthouse keepers,” Bennett said. “So there will be a whole living history element going on for the public.”
Bennett said the lighthouse will be officially rededicated just before sunset on Sunday.
Representatives from the Coast Guard, the Department of the Interior, the BLM and others will talk about the significance of the historic structure at a ceremonial relighting.