Stephanie Finucane

Heceta Head was named to commemorate one Don Bruno de Heceta, a Portuguese credited with exploring much of the Northwest Coast. Historians generally agree that Heceta, a captain sailing for the Royal Navy of Spain, left for his exploration of the Pacific Northwest coast on March 16, 1775. He launched his ship, Santiago, from San Blas, Mexico, carrying a year's provisions and 45 men; he was joined in the expedition by Juan Francisco de las Bodega Y Quadra, who sailed the Sanora.