A beacon through time: The history of Yaquina Head, Oregon's tallest lighthouse

Aug 22, 2025

About half an hour before the sun set on August 20, 1873, Head Lighthouse Keeper Fayette Crosby lit a flame at the top of Yaquina Head Lighthouse. He then waited for the oil reservoir to heat up to burning temperature, so the small blaze could shine out to sea.

Standing 93 feet tall at the westernmost point of the basalt headland, the historic Yaquina Head Lighthouse has been a bright beacon of the night, guiding ships and their supplies along the west coast since the light was first lit on August 20, 1873. BLM photo.

Over time, the light would change—from Crosby’s four-wick flame to kerosene to incandescent oil vapor to, finally, electricity. But the light would remain. For more than 150 years, it would continue to be a bright beacon of the night, guiding ships and sailors safely along the west coast.

Learn more about the history of this special place via the StoryMap below. (For best viewing, please open the StoryMap in a new full screen window.)

Yaquina Head Lighthouse: A beacon through time

Story by:

Jeanne Panfely, Public Affairs Specialist

Blog Topic:

Recreation

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