Umpqua River Lighthouse
The lighthouse is part of Umpqua River State Park and is managed by Douglas County Parks, which also oversees the museum about a block away in a historic Coast Guard building.
Located at the mouth of Winchester Bay, Oregon, the first Umpqua River Light was built in 1855 and lit in 1857. Built along the river channel, the original light was vulnerable to seasonal flooding. This led to yearly erosion of the sand embankment of the light. In October 1863, the building’s foundations had become too unstable and the structure soon collapsed. Before its collapse, the Light House Board had foreseen the need to build a new light at the location. However, it was 1888 before Congress approved of a construction of a new light.
Construction started on the new light in 1892, and it was first lit in 1894. Built at the same time as Heceta Head Light, it was built from the same plans and is virtually identical to its more northern sister. Unlike its predecessor, the new light had several advantages over the original light. Built 100 feet above the river, the new light was safe from flooding. This was partly due to the Light House Board’s insistence that ships be able to plot a course based on visible lighthouses. The original light was not visible at sea and was only usable as an aid to ships approaching the river. The new light used a clockwork mechanism to rotate the Fresnel lens, and was eventually automated in 1966. The rotation mechanism served in the light for 89 years before it finally broke down and was removed. The Coast Guard, in charge of the light at this point, wanted to replace the mechanism with a new one. However, strong public outcry forced those plans to be aborted, and in 1985, the old mechanism was returned to its position after being fully restored.
The structure was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1977.
Visitors can tour the lighthouse and adjacent Coastal History Museum from May through September. The museum is located in a historic U.S. Coast Guard station and features exhibits on the lighthouse, local history and the U.S. Coast Guard history on the Umpqua River.
What to Photograph
The lighthouse can be photographed from outside of the fence or can be accessed via a tour available from the museum. The keepers house and several outbuildings as well as a
Where it is:
The lighthouse and museum are located six miles south of Reedsport above the entrance to Winchester Bay. The address of the lighthouse is 1020 Lighthouse Road, Winchester Bay, OR. Off of Highway 101, take Salmon Harbor Drive toward the bay, after a little over a mile, take a left onto Lighthouse Road and you will see the museum on your right. It is one of the few you can drive right up to.
Maps:
Interactive Google Map
Use the map + – controls to zoom in and out, click and drag the to move the map, use the Map drop-down to change to “Map”, “Satellite”, “Hybrid”, or “Terrain” views. Drag the little man icon from the upper left corner to a map location for street level view.
GPS:
43°39’44.808″ N 124°11’55.302″ W
Hours:
There is no set schedule for lighthouse tours, and for a small donation, a volunteer takes group to the lighthouse, which is only accessible by taking a tour.
Cost:
Lighthouse Tours & MuseumTours are available year-round.
- Lighthouse Tours & Museum Tours are available year-round.
Members = FREE
Preschool (0 – 4) = FREE
Children (5 – 17) = $4.00
Adults = $8.00
Location Contact Information:
Info: 800.551.6949
State Park: 541-271-4118
ADDRESS & PHONE
Umpqua River Lighthouse Photo Gallery
Click Here for full page gallery
More Photographic Destinations in Oregon:
Interactive Google Map
Use the map + – controls to zoom in and out, use the Map drop-down to change to “Map”, “Satellite”, “Hybrid”, or “Terrain” views. Drag the little man icon from the upper left corner to a map location for street level view. Click on a pushpin for more information about the Photographic Destination, then click on the title to go to the location page.
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Great Places for Great Photos
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