Coquille River Lighthouse

Construction for the Coquille River Lighthouse first began in 1891. There were a number of delays that kept the lighthouse from finally being lit on February 29, 1896. In 1939, just 43 years later, the lighthouse was abandoned - its duties were replaced by an automated beacon. The lighthouse was forgotten for some time, and then in 1976 the US Army Corps and the Oregon State Parks renovated the lighthouse.

Like the other lighthouses on the Oregon Coast, the Coquille River Lighthouse was home to a number of stories through the years. The schooner "Moro" struck the bar in 1897. After all the cargo was emptied from the ship, they still couldn't free it. Moro was a total loss. Then in 1905 another schooner, "Advance," hit the north jetty almost hitting the lighthouse. Fortunately this schooner was set free shortly after. In 1936, the town of Bandon was destroyed by a large forest fire - only 16 buildings were left standing!

In 1991, the lighthouse's centennial anniversary, a new light was lit in the Coquille River tower. While the exterior is free to be explored, the doors to the inside are seldom open to the public! I recommend visiting this lighthouse and Bullards Beach State Park surrounding it. Like most of the Oregon Coast, this is a beautiful area to visit.

To find the Coquille River Lighthouse look for the entrance to Bullards Beach State Park just north of Bandon before you cross the Coquille River Bridge.