By TIFFANY ECKERT/KLCC News
NEWPORT — Sitting atop the northern bluff at the mouth of the Yaquina Bay is a small wooden 153-year-old lighthouse in need of repair. Soon, the piece of Oregon coast history will undergo restorations meant to last for generations.
The Yaquina Bay lighthouse, which sits 161 feet above sea level, is believed to be the oldest structure in Newport. It’s also the only Oregon lighthouse with living quarters attached and the last wooden lighthouse still standing on the coast.
The $1.6 million restoration project will close the lighthouse from Jan. 1 through June, said
Oregon Parks and Recreation Department spokeswoman Stefanie Knowlton said the work involves a complete exterior restoration, including a new roof, repairs to the brick foundation, the lighthouse lantern, siding, doors and windows and exterior paint.
Although the lighthouse will be closed, Knowlton said the surrounding state park, which gets about 1.7 million visits each year, will remain open.
The lighthouse, built in 1871, served mariners for only three years before it was decommissioned in 1874 in favor of the much bigger and more prominent Yaquina Head Lighthouse north of Newport.
Each biennium, the parks department spends a portion of its project funds on historic restoration and maintenance. One of the upcoming projects includes the Cape Foulweather Gift Shop at Otter Crest, which will be closed from February until July with limited to no parking during construction.
