Umpqua River Lighthouse
Winchester Bay, Oregon

At the entrance to Winchester Bay and at the mouth of the Umpqua River, stands a sentinel of the ocean, casting its red and white beams of light some 20 miles out to sea. The 65-foot tower is situated on a hill 100 feet above sea level surrounded by US Coast Guard buildings and a Museum.

An earlier light structure, the first on the Oregon Coast, was built in 1857 on the south side of the river.  It fell into the swollen water seven years later during a storm when the water eroded away the sand. 

The current lighthouse was started in 1890 and was illuminated in 1894.  It is the sister lighthouse to the one at Heceta Head just a few miles north of Florence.  Both structures were built from the same plans.

If you would be interested in being a tour guide for the Umpqua River Lighthouse, please call: 541-271-4631

The Umpqua Light shines through a first order Fresnel lens made of 616 glass prisms handcrafted in France and weighing two tons.  

It is a beautiful display of fine craftsmanship and produces a spectacular colored light show at dusk. This is especially true if there is a very light mist in the air. The light rotates out to sea and on the trees behind it on the landward side. The light shines 24 hours a day, but visit after dark or before sunrise, if you possibly can. As you enter Umpqua Lighthouse State Park, down a winding road, the light's rainbow beacon rotates through the tall pines with alternating white, white and red beams. The 65 foot tower is brick covered with white stucco, but you will not be able to take you eyes off this fantastic lens.

The lens assembly was originally turned by a clockwork mechanism much like a grandfather clock, powered by a huge weight which had to be wound up by the lightkeeper every four hours.

This motive power is now performed by an electric motor and monitored by sophisticated equipment, which notifies the Coast Guard station if a malfunction occurs.

The original oil lamp has been replaced with a high powered 1,000 watt electric bulb. A spare bulb is mounted on a panel, which automatically moves it into place should the first one burn out.

In November of 1983 the old chariot wheel mechanism that rotates the light broke down. The Coast Guard promptly installed an airport beacon on the tower and made plans to remove the original lens. Local residents launched a storm of protest until the Coast Guard relented and repaired the rotating apparatus. 

The lighthouse was restored by the US Coast Guard and is maintained by them. 

Ed St. John, former Tour Guide and Caretaker of the Umpqua River Lighthouse until 2002

A Doris Miller Photo

1020 Lighthouse Road, Winchester Bay, Oregon 

Winter Tours available by pre-arrangement - 541-271-4631

Lighthouse Tours:

May 1 through October 30

Daily:

10 am to 4 pm

UMPQUA RIVER LIGHTHOUSE

LOCATION: Six miles south of Reedsport above the entrance to Winchester Bay. Although the lighthouse is located near the Umpqua Lighthouse State Park, it is operated by the Douglas County Parks and Recreation Department. 

SIZE: The 65-foot tower is surrounded by Coast Guard living quarters. 

HOURS: The lighthouse is open for eight-person tours from May 1 to October 30. Hours are 10 am to 4 pm daily. 

HISTORY: The lighthouse opened in 1894 and is one of five still operating on the Oregon Coast. It's red flash is the only colored signal on the Oregon Coast. The present light is the second on the Umpqua River. The first, built closer to the river in 1857, fell into the river  seven years later.

Umpqua River Lighthouse Viewed From the North Jetty

An earlier structure, commissioned on the north spit of the river in 1857, was the first lighthouse on the Oregon Coast. It fell into the river in 1864 after sand eroded under the foundation. 

The current lighthouse, identical in design to the one 
at Heceta Head, was illuminated in 1894 and stands above the entrance to Winchester Bay. 

NEARBY: The tower overlooks the Oregon Dunes, a popular recreation destination for all types of beach activities. Camping is at the Umpqua Lighthouse State Park and county parks at Windy Cove in Winchester Bay. RV sites are available at The Marina Resort.

The structure and museum are maintained by Douglas County Parks, which offers tours.

Whale Watching on the Oregon Coast

There are two opportunities each year to observe whales as they migrate up and down the coast. 

The first opportunity this season will be:

December 26, 2004 through January 2, 2005 - the whales will be heading south to the breeding grounds in Baja California.

The second Whale Watching opportunity will be:

March 19, 2005 through March 26, 2005 when the whales will be heading back north with their calves to the feeding grounds up around Alaska.

Close-up View of the Umpqua River Lighthouse's famous Red/White Light

Umpqua River Lighthouse - Winchester Bay/Salmon Harbor, Oregon

View of the Umpqua River Lighthouse and Whale Watching Platform from the dunes.

Umpqua River Lighthouse - Winchester Bay/Salmon Harbor, Oregon - Built in 1894 it shines a guiding light to all mariners. The conical tower rises 65 feet from the ground. The Lighthouse stands 165 feet above sea level. The lens is 5 feet in diameter, 10 feet high and weighs 2 tons. It consists of 800 prisms, hand cut in Paris, France in 1890. It is visible for 19 miles seaward. The signal is 2 white flashes followed by 1 red. The original cost of the Lighthouse was $50,000.