Remarkable Historic Photos from Oregon Coast With Even Wilder Tales

Published 12/29/24 at 6:35 a.m.
By Oregon Coast Beach Connection Staff

(Coos Bay, Oregon) – History in any locale has its unique revelations, its marvels. And while they say pictures can say a thousand words – well, sometimes they can't as much as the actual tales. (Above: the second lighthouse and bridge)

Here's a handful of remarkable historic photographs from the Oregon coast with even more amazing stories.

Cape Arago Lighthouse near Coos Bay is one of the more elusive landmarks of the south Oregon coast: for over two decades it's been closed to visitors of any kind. In fact, the little island it's on – once again known as Chief's Island – is a no-go for humans. It is seriously falling apart.

So maybe it is no surprise that there were three lighthouses named Cape Arago Lighthouse.

The first was built in 1866, but a new one was constructed 30 years later. The first was 25 feet high. In 1896, that one opened and the old one was moved – partially because the island was eroding so bad and parts were crumbling underneath.

The original lighthouse in the 1880s (courtesy Friends of Cape Arago Lighthouse)

Those were made of wood.

In the early century, another member of the Albee family (by now a lineage of lighthouse keepers) took over and recommended some changes. So in 1934, a new one was completed – this time of concrete - and the second one actually moved once more.

That one was active until 2006, but even before that access to the place was cut off to humans. The bridge over to the place was dismantled in 2012 and the crumbling island officially turned back over to native tribes of the Coos Bay area. Tales of the End of a South Oregon Coast Lighthouse: Chief's Island and Arago Light

See full story Surprise History: There Were Three Cape Arago Lighthouses on S. Oregon Coast

On July 22, 1926, nearly 30 years after batting around the idea, some 8,000 people packed the top of a major high point in Astoria for the dedication ceremony of the Astoria Column. It was a wild time had by all – a huge shot in the arm for north Oregon coast tourism and civic pride for the town.

The historic photo above shows the beginnings of the Astoria Column. You can see the fresco details had not been painted yet. It turns out, however, three sections of it were done by this time. They just weren't quite finished: famed artist Attilio Pusterla and his crew had only started that work on July 1.

It all started back in 1898, with the oldest town west of the Mississippi thinking about its centennial in 1911. They originally had something as grand as the Eiffel Tower in mind, but nothing that ambitious was in the cards. A major fire and other issues set back plans, and Coxcomb Hill had not even been acquired until 1914.

Still, construction of the Astoria Column started on March 8 of 1926 and managed to finish up in June. In the '40s it was taken over by the military for use in World War II, and over the decades it's been refurbished numerous times. Beginnings, Inspirations of the Astoria Column - N. Oregon Coast History

In the early hours of October 25, 1906, a British ship called the Peter Iredale was trying to ease its way into Astoria, but in the dark it had not yet lumbered up to the Columbia River bar. The four-masted, mostly steel barque was already caught in stormy seas and chaotic conditions by 2 a.m. when Captain H. Lawrence saw the lights of Astoria.

By 7 a.m., the Iredale had lost her bearings and crashed onshore.

So began the reign of one of the most photographed shipwrecks in the world, captivating people for over 100 years and nearly getting smacked by a shell shot from a Japanese sub in WWII. See When a Japanese Submarine Fire Upon Fort Stevens

In 1951

Over the decades, less and less has been visible, especially since 2000. Much of this is because it is slowly sinking into the sands further and further – ironically sands that weren't even there several years before it crashed (thanks to the building of jetties the land built up sand). Wilder and wilder seas take out more of it as well, chipping away at the hull.

In late 2023, more of it showed than in a long time. Sand levels got so low it almost looked like it had 20 years before. See Wrecking the Peter Iredale: How Oregon Coast History Played Out in 1906 

The famed Alsea Bay Bridge in Waldport you now know so well is not the original that was there. In fact, in the early '90s a major endeavor took place to blow up the original Conde McCullough bridge that had been there since 1936.

Remarkably, its replacement took about two decades, starting in 1972 when they first decided to replace the famed one that was getting rundown. Construction commenced in the '80s as the new one was slowly put together right next to the original.

Retained from that icon were the yellow crystal lights and the stone pillars, along with other design elements.

In 1991 it was completed and a massive celebration held in August. However, it was the slow dismantling of the old bridge and the dynamite which really made an impression. See the photos now and then historical article for more.

Oregon Coast Hotels in this area - South Coast Hotels - Oregon Coast Vacation Rentals - Where to eat - Maps - Virtual Tours

More About Oregon Coast hotels, lodging.....

More About Oregon Coast Restaurants, Dining.....

LATEST Related Oregon Coast Articles

Yachats Winter Festival 2024 Ignites Three Days of Holiday Warmth on Central ...
December 6 - 8 with vendor fair, music, food. Yachats events

Parade of Planets Around Northwest, Along Washington, Oregon Coastlines
Six planets and three dwarf planets now through March

Newport Gets New Sea Jelly Tanks and Glowing Tanks at Oregon Coast Aquarium
Sea nettles, seahorses, lionfish, blue blubbers and glowing stuff

South Oregon Coast November 2024: Slowly Begin the Holidays
Holiday Lights Shore Acres Coos Bay, Nov 28-Dec 31; Bandon Lights Nov 30; Cape Blanco Art Auction Nov 16; Brookings Lights Nov 29 - Dec 29. South coast events

Ethereal and Ancient Near 45th Parallel on Oregon's Coast
Neskowin's really old aspects, unique mystical qualities

Razor Clamming Right Now on Washington Coast ? Oregon Coast
Two thirds of Oregon closed, tentative dates set in Washington. Marine sciences

Florence's Fall Fest Includes Kites, Circles in the Sand - and Oregon Coast's...
Nov 9 - 10 brings glowing kites to Driftwood Shores. Florence events

Remarkable Historic Photos from Oregon Coast With Even Wilder Tales
Cape Arago near Coos Bay, Astoria Column, blowing up Waldport's bridge, Wreck of the Iredale

Back to Oregon Coast

Contact Advertise on Oregon Coast Beach Connection
All Content, unless otherwise attributed, copyright © Oregon Coast Beach Connection. Unauthorized use or publication is not permitted