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The lights began to shine over the Oregon waters in 1870 when the Cape Blanco light was lit, which has never been deactivated even though it was automated in 1980. Yaquina Bay Light was next to be lit in 1871 but was deactivated in 1874 because the Yaquina Head Light, the third light to be lit in 1873 made the Bay Light obsolete. Then in 1996, the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department acquired ownership and managed to obtain a lens and have the light re-lit and the lighthouse is open for viewing.
Nest to be lit was the Tillamook Rock Light. The rock is located 1.2 miles offshore from Tillamook Head, twenty mils south of the Columbia River. Just before the light was lit, the barque Lupatia was wrecked near the rock in inclement weather and sank with the loss of all sixteen crew members. The Terrible Tilly was decommission in 1957 and sold to private owners. It is visible from many coastal area but not available for tours.
Oregon Coast Lights
Of the nine existing coastal lighthouses in Oregon, seven are open to the public. Also, two residence lighthouses, created by lighthouse enthusiasts, have been commissioned by the Coast Guard as a private aid to navigation, but both of these are closed to the public.
Oregon Coast Former Lights
Oregon has three lights that are considered former lights: US Columbia Lightship (1951-1979); Desdemona Sands Light (1901-1965); and the Point Adams Light (1875-1912)
Oregon Inland Lights
Oregon has had two inland lights: Warrior Rock Light (1877-present) and Willamette River Light (1894-1950′s) which light was located at the mouth of Willamette river near the Columbia river but burned sometime in the 1950′s.
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