Cape Blanco

Cape Blanco was originally named by Spanish explorers in the 16th or early 17th century, although the origin is obscure. The cliff face is beige in color, but from a distance on sunny day appears white. Bird droppings and numerous fossil deposits contribute to the white color. In 1792 when Captain George Vancouver was exploring the west coast for England he named the headland Cape Orford in honor of his friend, George, the third Earl of Orford and son of Sir Robert Walpole. But a town near the cape founded in 1851 was named Port Orford and the cape continued to be called Cape Blanco.