Oregon Coast Real Estate Knowledge Center: Coast Photo Gallery featuring Online Image Tours of Key Points of Interest found along the Oregon Coast.
Coast Photo Gallery - Central Oregon Coast Lighthouses
Yaquina Bay Lighthouse
In January of 1871, the U.S. Government purchased 36 acres from pioneers Lester and Sophronia Baldwin for $500 in gold coin for the land needed to build the Yaquina Bay Lighthouse Station. The Yaquina Bay Lighthouse was the first of four wooden-framed combination lighthouses built where the living quarters and the light tower were contained in the same structure, and is now the only existing lighthouse of the four still erected today. Built in 1871, the lighthouse was designed by a U.S. Lighthouse Engineer and later the house plans were modified to support the larger family needs of the keeper assigned to the lighthouse. Two contractors were hired to build the lighthouse. One of the contracts went to Ben Simpson who was responsible for the building of the tower and the connected dwelling. Joseph Bien was hired to assemble the lantern house and the other metal work in the structure. It is a true testament to these two individuals that the Yaquina Bay Lighthouse is still standing after 135 plus years, and now restored to prime condition for all to enjoy. The floorplan of the lighthouse included a basement level used for storage of supplies, lamp oil and firewood and two levels devoted for the residential quarters. The main floor level included a covered front entryway, a parlor for entertaining and relaxing, a dining room and a kitchen area with a pantry for storage. This same level featured a small room for oil storage and a wooden stairwell system for moving between floors. The second level upstairs included four chambers (bedrooms) with individual closets and fireplaces. To heat the structure and the living space, the only heating source available was the burning of firewood and so fireplaces were an important aspect of the floorplan design. A curved stairwell led upstairs from the second level to the light tower landing and a tiny watch room set-up for monitoring and maintaining the lamp operations at night. The attached building to the east included storage space and the only water closet (bathroom) in the floorplan.
Photo of the rear of the Yaquina Bay Lighthouse featuring the lighthouse structure with the combined keeper’s quarters and light tower, the attached add-on building now used for public restrooms and storage, and the white picket fence encompassing the Yaquina Bay Lighthouse Garden, a special project promoting gardening to local school children.
Photo overlooking the Yaquina Bay Lighthouse Structure designed with two stories devoted to the keeper’s residence, a basement for the storage of supplies, lamp oil and firewood, and a third level watch room for monitoring the light source at night.
Photo of the Yaquina Bay Lighthouse, now the only Oregon Lighthouse still existing with the combined keeper’s residence and light tower in one dwelling and representing a historical marvel in construction in light of the harsh elements found on the Oregon Coast.


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