Yaquina Bay Light

A piece of Oregon history sits atop a bluff at the mouth of the Yaquina River. It is the Historic Yaquina Bay Lighthouse, built in 1871 and decommissioned in 1874. It was officially restored as a privately maintained aid to navigation on December 7, 1996. It is believed to be the oldest structure in Newport. It is also the only existing Oregon lighthouse with the living quarters attached, and the only historic wooden Oregon lighthouse still standing. The Yaquina Bay Lighthouse is listed in the National Register of Historic Places. The Yaquina Bay Lighthouse has been restored as a working lighthouse and an aid to navigation by the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department, with the help of many people and agencies, including Friends of Yaquina Lighthouses. The official relighting ceremony with the US Coast Guard took place on December 7, 1996. The light shines with a steady white light from dusk to dawn (and sometimes on dark days, because it is controlled by a photocell.) The light is 161 feet above sea level. Although some say the story is a work of fiction, Muriel Trevenard is the ghost who some believe to haunt Yaquina Bay Lighthouse. As the legend goes, Muriel was visiting the lighthouse with her friend Harold. As they left, she realized she left her handkerchief and went back in. Harold heard her scream and rushed in after her, but she was nowhere to be found.