(Coquille River) Lighthouse ' no one wanted' became Oregon town's most famous landmark. Now, it needs help

Tourism is the top industry in the southern Oregon coastal city of Bandon, but a century ago, maritime shipping was king. Bandon was the main port between San Francisco and Portland, and in aid of that enterprise, the Coquille River Lighthouse was erected in 1896 on a rocky edge of what is now Bullards Beach State Park.

Coquille River, OR - USLHS archive

Until it was decommissioned in 1939, the station's beacon guided thousands of ships safely from the Pacific Ocean to the busy harbor. 

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Wanna Live on the Water? The Smith Point (VA) Lighthouse Is For Sale

Virginia is one of 14 states that offer rental stays in lighthouses-but for DC-area residents looking to own one of these beacons of light, that dream can now be a reality.

Smith Point, VA - Mike & Carol McKinney

For $450,000 (in cash), the lighthouse at 0 Smith Point Rd. in Reedville can be yours. Located on its own island in the Chesapeake Bay, it was built in 1897 and purchased from an auction held by the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) in conjunction with the U.S. Coast Guard in late 2005. The property is part of the National Historic Registry, and the Coast Guard maintains its lamp as an active aid to navigation. 

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Trio of Remote Scottish Islands For Sale - With Own Tavern and Lighthouse

A trip of remote Scottish islands that come complete with their very own lighthouse and tavern are up for sale, and the estate agent told Newsweek the site would make an ideal private getaway or business venture.

Sanda Island, Scotland - Northern Lighthouse Board

Owning a private island would be a dream come true for many Americans. In a survey of 2,000 US adults conducted by OnePoll on behalf of SignatureFD, respondents were asked: "What would you do with $10 million?"

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Learn The History Of Navesink (NJ) Lighthouse At Middletown Library

Join Middletown Historical Society at 7 p.m. Tuesday, May 28 for a fascinating lecture on the history of Twin Lights lighthouse in Highlands.

Navesink, NJ - David Zapatka

The talk will be given by Dr. Richard Veit, who will present "Archaeology at the Twin Lights." It will be held at the Middletown Township Public Library.

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San Pedro's historic Point Fermin (CA) Lighthouse kicks off 150th anniversary on Saturday

One of San Pedro's most treasured -and recognizable- landmarks, the Point Fermin Lighthouse, will soon embark on a celebration tour of monthly events marking its 150th birthday.

Point Fermin, CA - J Candace Clifford

It all kicks off with the inaugural event from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.  Saturday, May 11, during which participants can sip some tea, see a collection of Model T cars and shop at a vendor boutique.

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Northern Lights and the Milky Way Above Nubble (ME) Lighthouse

From the photographer: "The incredible night of 2024 May 10 when the most intense geomagnetic storm in more than 20 years sparked an aurora across both hemispheres." 

Cape Neddick, ME - Dave Zapatka 

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The view from Fanad Lighthouse (Ireland) fills us with a sense of our own mortality

Sometimes I leave RTE Radio playing while I'm driving. Although it irritates the General. "Can't you play something civilized," he pleads, and as soon as I switch to BBC Radio 4 he is happy.

Fanad Head, Ireland - USLHS archive

I went to Fanad Lighthouse with him recently, because I thought a weekend away might do him good. But by the time we reached Donegal town he was surveying the world like he owned it.

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Edgartown (MA) Lighthouse - #5 in Best Things To Do In Martha's Vineyard

For its relatively small size (100 square miles), Martha's Vineyard has its fair share of lighthouses. But of the five dotting the northern side of the island, visitors and travel experts continually recommend making a stop at the Edgartown Lighthouse.

Edgartown, MA - USLHS archive

Originally constructed for Crane Beach in Ipswich, Massachusetts, this 1800s-era lighthouse was relocated to the Vineyard in 1938. 

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These Oregon lighthouses are historic places

All of the Oregon coast's nine surviving, federally funded lighthouse stations have been added to the National Register of Historic Places, and with some exceptions, visitors are welcomed. 

Cape Blanco, OR - USLHS archive

Oregon's lighthouses are in various degrees of restoration and historical integrity. Most of the state's lighthouses were designed and built by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers between 1870 and 1896, and managed by the former U.S. Lighthouse Board, with the U.S. Coast Guard taking over stewardship duties in 1939, according to Oregon State Parks.

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Click here to see more of Oregon's lighthouses on the USLHS Research Catalog

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Range Lights Installation Completes 10-Floor Maritime Museum Tower Exhibits

Just in time for the Door County Lighthouse Festival June 7-9, the Door County Maritime Museum has completed all exhibits on each of the 10 floors of the Jim Kress Maritime Lighthouse Tower.

Door County Maritime Museum - Hello Door County

The final addition to the tower- models of the Upper and Lower Ranges Lights, built in 1869 at what's now The Ridges Sanctuary - shows how the two lights showed ship captains the only safe line into Bailey's Harbor.

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U.S. Lighthouse Society News is produced by the U.S. Lighthouse Society to support lighthouse preservation, history, education and research.

If you have items of interest to the lighthouse community and its supporters, please email them to Jeremy D’Entremont at Jeremy@uslhs.org

Submitted by Ralph Krugler on