Cape Arago Lighthouse

Oregon Lighthouses Tillamook Rock Cape Mears Yaquina Head Yaquina Bay Heceta Head Umpqua River Coquille River Cape Blanco Beach Pictures

Coos Bay is home to the largest port and population center on the Oregon Coast. It is also home to the historic Cape Arago Lighthouse.

The lighthouse is a very good case study of where not to sit a lighthouse. The current lighthouse, shown in the picture, is the third in a series of lighthouses. The first two were endangered by weather and erosion.

The picture shows the lighouse sitting on an isthmus, also endangered by erosion. It is not open to the public, however it can be viewed from afar on a road leading to local state parks.

Shore Acres State Park, for example, is a beautiful coastal botanical garden also located on Cape Arago Highway, a few miles from the lighthouse.

© 2008 Patricia A. Michaels