Cape Meares Lighthouse
Cape Meares Lighthouse, Historical lighthouse at Cape Meares, Oregon, United States.
The 38-foot lighthouse structure sits on a cliff, featuring iron plates and brick construction with a prominent first-order Fresnel lens inside its tower.
Construction of Cape Meares Lighthouse began in 1889, and the facility sent its first beam across the Pacific Ocean on January 1, 1890.
The lighthouse and surrounding Cape Meares State Scenic Viewpoint preserve Oregon's maritime heritage through educational exhibits and guided interpretive programs.
Visitors can access the lighthouse daily from May through September between 11 AM and 4 PM, with free admission and an on-site gift shop.
The Fresnel lens, manufactured in Paris, traveled around Cape Horn and was lifted 217 feet up the cliff using a wooden crane made from local timber.
Location: Tillamook County
Made from material: concrete, brick, cast iron
GPS coordinates: 45.48647,-123.97831
Latest update: May 25, 2025 12:26
Oregon offers a notable diversity of geological formations and natural landscapes ranging from the Pacific coastline to the volcanic plateaus of the eastern portion of the state. The Cascade Range dominates western Oregon with dense forests, waterfalls, and thermal springs, while the dry east features desert areas, deep canyons, and extinct volcanic cones. The rugged coastline extends for 363 miles (584 km) and displays rock arches, historic lighthouses, and protected coastal sections. The region's geological history includes volcanic activity, lava flows, and rock layers dating back millions of years. The collection includes natural hot springs such as Bagby Hot Springs, waterfalls like Abiqua Falls and Toketee Falls, and volcanic areas including Newberry National Volcanic Monument and Fort Rock. Coastal sites range from Cape Meares Lighthouse to Samuel H. Boardman State Scenic Corridor, while the interior presents locations such as the Painted Hills, the Alvord Desert, and the Owyhee Canyonlands. Lost Lake provides views of Mount Hood, Waldo Lake is known for its clarity, and Wizard Island rises from Crater Lake. The Steens Mountain Wilderness reaches elevations exceeding 9,000 feet (2,743 m), and Hells Canyon forms one of the deepest gorges in North America. These sites represent the geological processes and natural systems that have shaped Oregon across geological time.
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