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POINT ADAMS
October 28, 1871: "Another want is a lighthouse at Point Adams on the south side of the Columbia river at its mouth, and a steam fog whistle. Major Robert, we learn, hopes to be able to make an observation there soon, with a view of forming an opinion as to how these works should be constructed." (Morning Oregonian)
April 28, 1973: "Mr. S.O.L. Potter, of the U.S. Engineer's office at Portland, is here looking after the interests of Uncle Sam in relation to the proposed new lighthouse on Point Adams." (Morning Oregonian)
May 7, 1873: "The light-house to be built below Point Adams will be located from one mile to one mile and a-half outside the point. It will be of the second or third order of Fresnel, and the entire edifice, with a steam fog whistle, will cost $30,000." (Statesman Journal)
July 25, 1873: "Work we learn will commence in the course of a few weeks for the new Government lighthouse, near Point Adams, an appropriation for the erection of which has already been made. Months ago the plans for the building, outhouses, etc., were forwarded to Washington, and after an examination were approved. The plans for the ground work were sent to the Department for approval a few weeks since, and are now in Washington. Within two weeks work will be commenced. The first thing which will be done is to open a road from Fort Stevens down to the lighthouse station, a distance of about one mile and a quarter. The cost of opening this will be about $3,000. When a good wagon road is opened, the work for the foundation of the building will be commenced at once, and the construction of the building prosecuted to consumation." (Morning Oregonian)
November 19, 1873: "Early this fall the plans and specifications for a new lighthouse at Point Adams were forwarded to Washington for approval. Originally the intention was to construct only a lighthouse, which would require two keepers, and the plans were drafted with that object in view. Subsequently it was determined to construct a fog signal in conjunction with the lighthouse, by the Lighthouse Department at Washington. This would require three keepers. It was found impracticable to construct a lighthouse and a fog signal with the plans furnished, and it was determined to alter them. These plans are now at Washington undergoing the required changes. Every arrangement is being effected to commence operations on this government improvement early next spring." (Morning Oregonian)
November 25, 1873: "--The explanation in the Oregonian concerning the light-house to be put up at Point Adams is to the effect that originally it was intended to only construct a light-house; but when it was determined to build a fog-signal also, the first plans were found impracticable, and new plans were sent to Washington for approval,---early this fall, etc. By referring to the appropriation bill approved March 3, 1873, the following item appears: 'For building a small light and fog signal at the mouth of the Columbia river, Oregon, thirty thousand dollars.' It would seem that the subsequent determination 'to construct a fog-signal' was made as early as last spring. How is it, then, that the plans were barely ready to be forwarded to Washington for approval 'early this fall?' It hasn't taken all this time for some parties in Portland to attempt to secure all the barren sands in the vicinity of where it is expected this light-house will be erected? Truly, large bodies move slowly. We do not wish to seem to censure any one, we do not know who is censurable,--but this light is very greatly needed, and the mariner, and those living on the sea side who are particularly alive to its importance, feel that a year's time to complete specifications, after the money has been appropriated, is a very great while." (Tri-Weekly Astorian)
December 31, 1873: "Under date of December 9th Senator Kelly, writing to the editor of the Astorian, says: 'Seeing in the Astorian of the 20th that nothing has yet been done toward the construction of the light-house at Point Adams, I called the office of the Light-House Board to ascertain the cause of delay. I was informed by Major Elliot, a member of the Board, that it was owing to the length of time required to procure the title to the ground on which the buildings are to be erected. Being on the military reservation it became necessary to get the title from the War Department, and perhaps there was a little 'circumlocution' about the matter, which caused the delay. Happily, this is now ended, and the land has been secured for the site of the light-house. I was told that the work of constructing the building will soon be commenced and prosecuted as rapidly as can conveniently be done toward completion.' " (Morning Oregonian)
September 29, 1874: "The sloop Buckeye, which left here last week for the mouth of the Columbia, carried away considerable material for the new fog signal that will be constructed the present season at Fort Stevens. This material was shipped by Gen. Michler and consisted of 40,000 brick, 60 barrels of cement and 10 barrels of lime. The materials above enumerated are only for the foundation of the fog signal. The lumber necessary for the building will be obtained from some point near the Fort. The signal will be constructed by days labor hired at the Government's expense and is no manner connected with the contract to erect the lighthouse at Point Adams. Work will shortly be commenced." (Morning Oregonian)
November 4, 1874: "Work on the new lighthouse in process of construction at Point Adams, is being crowded forward expeditiously by the contractor. The present rainy weather, however, will seriously interfere with the rapid progress of the work. We are unable to state when the building is expected to be complete." (Morning Oregonian)
November 21, 1874: "Work on the new lighthouse at Point Adams has so far progressed towards completion that the building will be all finished within three weeks from date." (Weekly Oregon Statesman)
November 28, 1874: "The Point Adams Lighthouse is rapidly approaching completion, and should the present weather continue, the finishing touches will be put on by Christmas. Last Monday the plasterers commenced their labor, which is now progressing finely." (Weekly Oregon Statesman)
December 11, 1874: "It is expected that the new lighthouse at Fort Adams will be ready for service by Jan. 1st. The lenses, illuminating apparatus, etc., were shipped from Staten Island on the 3rd ult." (Morning Oregonian)
January 13, 1875: "Mr. Wheeler is now at the Point Adams light house making the necessary inspections. He is also engaged in adjusting the lenses, and will in a few days, test the quality and intensity of the light. Cold weather has necessitated a temporary suspension of the work about the building. Nothing more will be done, excepting, perhaps to finish the rooms for the keepers. During the present state of the weather it is deemed impracticable tp finish the work according to the terms of the contract." (Morning Oregonian)
February 8, 1875: "Notice is hereby given that, on or after Feb. 15, 1875, a light will be shown from the lighthouse recently erected at Point Adams, south of the entrance to the Columbia river, Oregon. The light will be characterized by alternate red and white flashes, with intervals of ten seconds. The illuminating apparatus is catadioptic, of the fourth order lighting the entire horizon. The focal plane is 49 feet above the ground, and 99 feet above mean low water. The light should be seen in clear weather from the deck of a vessel 15 feet above the sea 16 nautical miles. The structure is of wood, a square tower rising from the keeper's dwelling painted a light buff color. The lantern is black and the dome red. The approximate position of the lighthouse as taken from the coast survey charts, is as follows: Latitude, 40 degrees 12 North, Longitude, 123 degrees ?? West. Notice is also given that on or after the same date a fog whistle will be sounded at this station during thick and foggy weather giving a blast of 7 seconds with an interval of 14 seconds, then a blast of 4 seconds, followed by an interval of 35 seconds. The fog signal house is painted white and situated 190 feet from the lighthouse." (Morning Oregonian)
July 28, 1875: "Work was completed at the Point Adams light some time ago--that is so far as the building itself is concerned. As yet the light house has not been inclosed with a fence, and the ground graded. This work will soon be done." (Morning Oregonian)
May 5, 1876: "C.A. May, assistant keeper at Point Adams Light-house, has fallen heir to a -- son! May 1st, 1876. First edition of C.A. May. We congratulate you and yours, Charley." (Morning Oregonian)
August 31, 1876: "A new cistern to hold 5,000 gallons has been built at Point Adams light station for use of the keeper's dwelling." (Morning Oregonian)
January 26, 1912: The old dismantled lighthouse tower was burned by order of the Secretary of War.
February 18, 1912: "The burning of the old Point Adams lighthouse January 26 last removed a prominent landmark, which, though not so very old, was well remembered and of historical interest.
The lighthouse station was on the south side of the Columbia River and occupied the southwest 40 acres of the Fort Stevens military reservation. The lighthouse was built on a high sand ridge about a mile and a half south of the garrison and was reached by a beautiful and romantic road, over which all material used in constructing the station was hauled after being landed at Fort Stevens. The station was built by R.N. and C.W. Holt, of Astoria, under H.S. Wheler, who was superintendent of construction of the Thirteenth Lighthouse Department, and consisted of a two story wooden building resting on a brick and cement basement, with brick walls corresponding to the partitions of the structure above. The tower extended two stories higher, surmounted by the lantern that held the illuminating apparatus. The light was of the fourth order, visible 11 1/4 miles at sea, from the deck of a vessel.
When first installed the light was a flash red and white, but in 1881 it was changed to a fixed red. The same year the fog signal, a steam whistle, was discontinued and removed to some station on Puget Sound. The long line of surf extended out so far that the whistle could not be heard.
When the lighthouse was built the sea ridge on which it stood was close to the ocean and at times the high tides came to the foot of the hill, but with the building of the jetty the sand filled in to such an extent that one might wonder why a light was ever built so far in shore.
This was the main reason for its discontinuance. Besides when a first-order light was placed on Tillamook Rock, the lightship off the mouth of the river and another first-order light on North Head and Fort Canby light changed to a fourth-order, a harbor light was more necessary to ships, so Desdemona Station, on the sands in the middle of the river, off Fort Stevens, was built and the illuminating apparatus of Point Adams placed therein.
Then, too, the War Department had begun its reconstruction work and the location of the old lighthouse was just the place for the modern guns that are now mounted there, and to prevent an enemy from locating this battery the old dismantled and useless tower was, by the Secretary of War, ordered burned, and the order was carried out January 26, 1912." (Morning Oregonian)