Yaquina Bay Light

The Yaquina Bay Light is a wooden lighthouse at the mouth of the Yaquina River in Newport, Oregon, built with integrated living space for the lighthouse keeper. The 16 meter tall structure combines the vertical tower with residential rooms under one roofline, creating a compact and functional design.

The lighthouse became operational in 1871 and served for only three years before being decommissioned when the new Yaquina Head Light was built nearby. After this brief period of active use, the structure was saved from destruction to eventually become a museum.

The lighthouse represents an important part of Newport's maritime past and draws visitors interested in understanding how coastal communities functioned in the 1800s. Its preservation tells the story of early lighthouse keeping as a family-based occupation requiring constant presence near the shore.

The lighthouse is located within Yaquina Bay State Recreation Area and is open to visitors, with paved paths and parking available nearby. The waterfront setting means the area can be damp, especially near the water, so comfortable shoes and weather protection are recommended.

This is the only lighthouse in Oregon where the keeper's home and tower share a single roof structure, combining both functions in one integrated building. This unusual design reflects the practical demands of mid-1800s lighthouse work, when proximity to the light source was essential for safe operation.