Saturday, November 10, 2012

Day Trip from Coquille River Lighthouse to Cape Arago State Park.

Today we went exploring in the Honda.

We started first in Bullards Beach State Park with the Coquille River North Jetty, constructed in 1892 to 1909. At this jetty is the Coquille River Lighthouse.

Originally named Bandon Light, Coquille River Light was commissioned in 1895. First lit on February 29, 1896, the light guided mariners past the dangerous shifting sandbars into the Coquille River and harbor at Bandon. The light contained a fourth-order Fresnel lens and connected to the nearby keepers house by a wooden walkway. In September 1936, a large wildfire swept through the surrounding area, and destroyed most of Bandon. The town soon became bankrupt as a result of the decline in shipping. Coquille Light was shut down in 1939 and replaced by an automated light on the south jetty.

The light was originally built with a Daboll trumpet for its foghorn, which was used as the light's fog signal for several years. However, at certain times due to specific weather conditions, the sound of the trumpet would fail at sea, and in 1910 the trumpet was replaced by a more reliable fog siren. While mariners liked the new signal, many Bandon residents did not. The siren would eventually be removed along with the Fresnel lens after the light's decommissioning.

Over the next 37 years, the condition of the light deteriorated due to neglect and vandalism, until the 1976, when its first major restoration began. However, by this time, the keepers quarters and other outbuildings had deteriorated past the point of repair, and were eventually removed. In 1991, a new solar powered light was installed in the tower.

1-PB106513

Morning ball throw ( Blue now starts shaking in anticipation every time he smells the beach)

1-PB1008781-PB1008861-PB106521

1-PB106523

Then a stop at Seven Devils State Recreation Site.

1-PB106527

Drove a few miles on some single lane dirt roads as a shortcut.

1-PB106528

Then off to Cape Arago

First stop was the view of the Cape Arago Lighthouse

This is the third incarnation of this Light. This Light is on an island and is not accessible.

For a short history go to: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cape_Arago_Light

1-PB100895

October 1944

File:Cape Arago Lighthouse and Dwelling, 10-1944 - NARA - 298183.jpg

Harbor Seals and Sea Lions occupy the rocks.

1-PB100900

Then the Cape Arago

1-PB1009011-PB1065481-PB106556

A short video of one of the views.

http://youtu.be/20e-OyUFyeg

No comments:

Post a Comment