description Cape Meares Lighthouse Overview
The Cape Meares Lighthouse, situated on Oregon’s coast near Oceanside, was built in 1907 and stands atop a basalt column, guiding ships through hazardous waters with its powerful light and fog signal until automation in 1987.
help Cape Meares Lighthouse FAQ
When was Cape Meares Lighthouse built?
Cape Meares Lighthouse was built in 1889 and first lit in 1890. It stands on the Oregon coast near Tillamook and Oceanside.
Why is Cape Meares Lighthouse considered unusual?
Its tower is relatively short compared with many coastal lighthouses, because the station sits on a high headland above the Pacific. The height of the land helped the light reach ships without requiring a very tall tower.
What kind of lens did Cape Meares Lighthouse use?
Cape Meares originally used a first-order Fresnel lens, a large optical system designed to project light over long distances. Fresnel lenses were a defining technology of nineteenth-century lighthouse navigation.
Was Cape Meares Lighthouse automated in 1987?
The station was automated earlier, in 1963, and no longer depended on a resident keeper. The lighthouse is now preserved as part of the Cape Meares State Scenic Viewpoint area.
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