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YAQUINA HEAD (CAPE FOULWEATHER)
March 17, 1871: "Among the general appropriations for Oregon agreed upon in the Committee of the whole in the House of Representatives, were the following: For lighthouse near Cape Foulweather, $90,000." (Morning Oregonian)
August 14, 1871: "The contract for the erection of a keeper's house at the Cape Foulweather lighthouse, has been awarded to Mr. C.T. Brown of Oakland, Umpqua valley, for $11,000." (Morning Oregonian)
September 22, 1871: "Two vessels have arrived at Yaquina from San Francisco with materials for the new lighthouse at Cape Foulweather." (Morning Oregonian)
October 28, 1871: "Last year an appropriation of $90,000 was made for the erection of a lighthouse at Cape Foulweather. Inasmuch as a lighthouse had just been built, or was building, at Yaquina, only three miles distant, it would have been better every way if this appropriation of $90,000 had been devoted to the Columbia and Willamette rivers. The appropriation now stands against our State, and every appropriation of this sort makes future ones more difficult to obtain." (Morning Oregonian)
March 20, 1872: "Mr. George Mercer, last week, surveyed a twenty acre reservation for the lighthouse on the Cape Foulweather point. Work on the light-house will be vigorously prosecuted in a short time. Bad weather and lack of material, have been a comparative suspension of work for some time." (Weekly Oregon Statesman)
April 10, 1872: "Work on the new lighthouse at Cape Foulweather will commence about the 1st of May." (Weekly Oregon Statesman)
May 24, 1872: "Work has been commenced on the new lighthouse at Cape Foulweather, in Tillamook county, near the southern boundary of Benton." (The New Northwest)
July 9, 1872: "Work on the tower of the new lighthouse now in process of construction at Cape Foulweather, has been temporarily suspended until the iron shall arrive from San Francisco, which will be in the course of two weeks. On its arrival work will be resumed at once. The material, it will be remembered, was shipped some time ago from this port on the bark Almalia. It will, consequently, have to be reshipped for the Cape. The foundation of the lighthouse had been nearly completed, and also the house for the keeper. The present calculation of the contractor, Mr. Brown, is to have the entire structure completed by the first of next year, though this will, in a great measure, be controlled by circumstances--workmen, material, weather, etc." (Morning Oregonian)
August 5, 1872: "The schooner Mila Bond is receiving cargo of material for the lighthouse now in process of construction at Cape Foulweather, and will have immediate dispatch." (Morning Oregonian)
August 16, 1872: "Thirty tons of iron arrived at Cape Foulweather per steamer Shubrick to be used in the construction of the new light-house. Work on it has been suspended for some time on account of not having material. The light-house when finished will be one of great strength and durability." (Morning Oregonian)
August 19, 1872: "The United States steamer Shubrick arrived in this port yesterday afternoon from Cape Foulweather, whither she has been carrying lighthouse materials." (Morning Oregonian)
August 19, 1872: "Now that the material has arrived at Cape Foulweather, for the new lighthouse in process of construction, work will be resumed at once. The intention is to complete as much of the building as possible before the rains set in, and resume work next spring with renewed vigor. It id hoped to have the lighthouse completed before next summer." (Morning Oregonian)
October 3, 1872: "Work on the lighthouse building at Cape Foulweather, is progressing very well. The castings, manufactured at the Oregon Iron Works, arrived some time ago, and are being put up as rapidly as possible." (Morning Oregonian)
October 25, 1872: "Work on the new lighthouse at Cape Foulweather is progressing as rapidly as circumstances will allow. Nearly all the materials necessary to the structure have arrived on the ground. Two experienced machinists are engaged in putting together the iron work. Should uncommon good weather be vouchsafed this fall and winter, the presumption is fair that the lighthouse will be completed by the first of January; if not, the structure will be finished early next spring on the resumption of good weather. The residence of the lighthouse keeper has been completed several weeks." (Morning Oregonian)
January 30, 1873: "We learn that F.S. Crosby, esq., has been appointed light house keeper at Cape Foulweather. Mr. Crosby was light house keeper at Umpqua for a number of years before the lighthouse there fell down by the washing away of the sandy foundation. His fidelity and adaptability to the duties of the position there doubtless had much to do in securing his appointment." (Morning Oregonian)
February 1, 1873: "It was the expectation to have the new lighthouse at Cape Foulweather completed and the signal lights displayed by the first of the month, but in consequence of the non arrival of the lenses and other apparatus belonging to the lantern, within the time required, the work was delayed. By the middle of the month the lighthouse will be completed and ready for service." (Morning Oregonian)
February 7, 1873: "Major Robert returned from Cape Foulweather last week, where he went some time ago to officially inspect the work done on the lighthouse at that point. It was the expectation to have the lighthouse finished and the signal light displayed by the first of the present month, but some unavoidable delay occurred in the arrival od the castings necessary to be used about the lantern. Everything is in readiness except that portion of the work which the non arrival of the castings prevents being finished. A dispatch was forwarded to Washington immediately on the arrival of Mr. Robert at this place. He inquired into the occasion of the detention of the castings, and asked to have the same forwarded without delay. In answer, a dispatch was sent, stating that the required articles has been shipped as per orders. The boxes containing these castings are now on the way, and can be expected to arrive by the last of this month. Two weeks' work will suffice to put the lighthouse in perfect condition for service after the arrival of the castings." (Morning Oregonian)
February 22, 1873: "On Monday last, the Fannie Patton brought up thirty-eight cases of oil, and some other stores for Foulweather Lighthouse." (The Benton Democrat)
August 15, 1873: "We received from Joseph Henry, Chairman of the Lighthouse Board, the following notice to mariners, in regard to the display of signal lights from the new lighthouse at Cape Foulweather:
'Notice is hereby given that, on and after the evening of August 20, 1873, a fixed white light will be shown from the tower recently erected at Cape Foulweather, (Yaquina Head,) Oregon. The focal plane is at a height of 81 feet above the ground, and 150 feet above sea level. In clear weather, the eye being 15 feet above sea level, the light should be seen at a distance of 18 1/2 nautical miles. The illuminating apparatus is a lens of the 1st order, fixed, illuminating 240 degrees of the horizon. The tower is of brick, painted white, and the lantern is painted black. The Keeper's dwelling, a two story frame building east of the tower, is painted white." (Morning Oregonian)
September 9, 1873: "For the first time signal lights were displayed from the new lighthouse at Cape Foulweather on the 20th of August." (Weekly Oregon Statesman)
July 30, 1875: "The lighthouse on Yaquina Head being discontinued, destroys one of the most attractive features of Newport, but a trip of five miles up the coast will take one to the Cape Foulweather light-house, situated on one of the wildest, wierdest points of land which borders the north Pacific ocean. It is a light of the first order, located in a tower nearly 200 feet above the level of the sea, and is in charge of Mr. Crosby, one of the most efficient as well as agreeable officials in government employ. A trip to Yaquina Bay is not complete without a few hours skirmishing to Foulweather." (The State Rights Democrat)
October 24, 1878: "Miss Carrie Wass has been appointed an assistant keeper of the light-house at Cape Foulweather." (The New Northwest)
January 11, 1894: "It is reported that Mr. Smith, one of the keepers of the Cape Foulweather lighthouse, had killed a silver gray sea otter one day this week. The fur of this otter is the most valuable of all otters." (Lincoln County Leader)
August 9, 1894: "I.L. Smith, one of the keepers of the lighthouse at Foulweather, passed through Toledo yesterday on his way home from a pleasure trip to the head of the Siletz." (Lincoln County Leader)
December 20, 1894: "R.F. Collamore came up from Cape Foulweather last Monday, where he has been at work on the lighthouse." (Lincoln County Leader)
February 1, 1901: "Mr. and Mrs. B.J. Bretherton were in the city Tuesday, the latter as a witness in a case in circuit court. Mr. Bretherton is an assistant keeper at the Yaquina Head lighthouse." (Lincoln County Leader)
April 3, 1903: "E. Rice, first assistant keeper at the Cape Foulweather lighthouse, passed homeward Wednesday evening from a business trip to Portland." (Lincoln County Leader)
June 26, 1903: "Billy Ford, first assistant keeper of Cape Foulweather lighthouse visited Toledo friends Tuesday and Wednesday. Life by the sea seems to agree with him. He is now fatter than the editor." (Lincoln County Leader)
August 23, 1907: "The keeper of the Yaquina Head light is Captain Frank M. Plummer, who has been in charge for 30 years and four months, probably an almost unequaled record for similar service. W.P. Ford is first assistant keeper and Herbert Higgins second assistant.--Albany Herald." (Lincoln County Leader)
July 31, 1908: "Mrs. Jennie Wilson, daughter of Julia Megginson and wife of H.E. Wilson, keeper of the Cape Foulweather lighthouse, died Tuesday evening after a long illness at her home at the Cape." (Lincoln County Leader)
August 6, 1913: "One of the many places of interest to visitors to this beach is the government lighthouse located on Yaquina Head about four miles north of Newport. Each year hundreds of people make the trip up the beach to the lighthouse. Last year, according to the visitors' register, the actual number of visitors was over 5000." (Daily Capital Journal)
March 21, 1914: "The Yaquina Head lighthouse, four miles north of Newport, is without a keeper. Captain H. E. Wilson, former keeper, left 10 days ago to take a position as chief engineer on a Government boat.
H. E. Higgins and John Collins are in charge of the lighthouse until a keeper is appointed. They were assistants to Captain Wilson. Each man is working about 18 hours daily at present." (Morning Oregonian)
September 2, 1917: "Miss Virginia Wechter, of the office staff of State Engineer Lewis, of Salem, led a hike to the Yaquina Head lighthouse on Wednesday. That is, the party went out on the point on which the lighthouse is situated but did not enter the lighthouse station, which has been closed to visitors since the outbreak of the war." (The Sunday Oregonian)
September 19, 1919: "W.P. Ford passed thru this noon enroute to his home ar Kalama, Wash. Billy was formerly lighthouse keeper at Cape Foulweather." (Lincoln County Leader)
October 22, 1920: "The Yaquina head lighthouse was struck by lightning Sunday night during the storm. The building was damaged but the lamp was uninjured." (Albany Democrat)
March 23, 1921: "Jacob Erickson, aged 56, second assistant keeper of Yaquina Head lighthouse, four miles north of here, was found dead in the top of the tower this morning, evidently having dropped dead while performing his duties.
Mr. Erickson was well known in northwest government circles, having been assistant keeper in lighthouses at Lime Kiln, Wash., Cape Mears, Willapa and Desdamona sands. He also served on lighthouse tenders as a member of the crews and was engineer of the gasoline schooner Patsy for a while.
A son, William, aged 13, who attends school here, and two brothers who reside at Astoria, which Mr. Erickson referred to as his home, survive. It is known that Mr. Erickson once suffered a stroke of paralysis." (Morning Oregonian)
September 7, 1923: "Garden crops can be made to succeed even on the exposed sand cliff soils of the Oregon coast region. The Yaquina Head lighthouse authorities have grown splendid vegetables this year, reports A. G. Bouquet, professor of vegetable gardening at the College. They used the fertilizer----nitrate of soda 150 pounds, super-phosphate 300 pounds, and muriate of potash 150 pounds, for one acre----recommended by the extension service for those soils, and the insect control methods of the station----cheesecloth screens and corrosive sublimate solution for control of root maggots." (The Boardman Mirror)
September 25, 1924: "The main feature of the trip was the drive to Yaquina Head lighthouse, where they were guests of Henry Hill, keeper of the lighthouse, at a venison dinner. Mr. Hill came to Yaquina Head two years ago from Cape Meares lighthouse, Tillamook county." (Albany Evening Herald)
January 28, 1926: "Miss Almeta Hayward and Edwin W, Hunter were married Thursday evening, January 14, at Yaquina Head Lighthouse, the home of the bride's parents, Mr. and Mrs. Eugene Hayward." (Albany Democrat)
August 8, 1927: "The county court has promised to take up the matter of widening and grading the road to the Yaquina Head lighthouse. The lighthouse is not open to visitors Wednesday or Saturdays." (Corvallis Gazette-Times)
August 20, 1927: "Doubt that the Cramp was aground off Yaquina Head is expressed by Captain Hunt, who received a telegram from Seattle inquiring about the ship in answer to a radio message which Seattle had received. No distress signals were blown by the Cramp, Yaquina Head lighthouse men augmented by two of Captain Hunt's crew reported. Specially careful watch is maintained during foggy weather although the U. S. Government has not seen fit to put a foghorn at the lighthouse regardless of the large amount of coast-wise traffic." (Corvallis Gazette-Times)
February 22, 1922: “Wm. Smith, keeper at the Yaquina Head lighthouse, retired ona life pension from the service Saturday February 16 after 30 years continuous service in the Lighthouse department says the Newport Journal.
Mr. Smith entered the service in 1899 and was assigned to the lighthouse at Umpqua and from there to Heceta Head and for the past 15 years he has been Keeper at the Yaquina Head lighthouse.
After being relieved from duty Mr. and Mrs. Smith will move to their home in Newport.” (Siuslaw Oar)
February 22, 1922: “Wm. Smith, keeper at the Yaquina Head lighthouse, retired ona life pension from the service Saturday February 16 after 30 years continuous service in the Lighthouse department says the Newport Journal.
Mr. Smith entered the service in 1899 and was assigned to the lighthouse at Umpqua and from there to Heceta Head and for the past 15 years he has been Keeper at the Yaquina Head lighthouse.
After being relieved from duty Mr. and Mrs. Smith will move to their home in Newport.” (Siuslaw Oar)
January 23, 1930: "Charles Miller, keeper of the Yaquina Head lighthouse and his family have returned from a visit with relatives in Tillamook, Mr. Miller purchased a new car while away." (Corvallis Gazette-Times)
June 30, 1930: "Frank Story, keeper of Yaquina Head lighthouse, is having a ten-day vacation, which he is spending in Portland." (Corvallis Gazette-Times)
April 2, 1931: "Henry Hill, who has been assistant keeper at the Yaquina Head lighthouse, a few miles north of this city, has received a promotion to keeper and will be on relief duty for the 17th lighthouse district which comprises Oregon and Washington. Mr. Hill will have headquarters in Portland. He has been stationed at Yaquina Head for the past 10 years." (Corvallis Gazette-Times)
April 25, 1932: "Frank Story, first assistant keeper at the Yaquina Head lighthouse, has been transferred to Cape Blanco and he and Mrs. Story will leave soon for their new location. Mr. Story will be first assistant keeper in the station." (Corvallis Gazette-Times)
April 24, 1933: "The Yaquina Head lighthouse, built in 1872, is worn with time. The bricks are crumbling a little, allowing water to sift through. The wrought-iron collar or platform is in such bad condition that it is dangerous, especially for many to venture at one time.
More than 200 visitors have visited the lighthouse this month, showing its popularity. Spring repairs and painting will commence when the weather gets better. Captain R. E. Dunson is keeper; J. L. Zenor is No. 1 assistant keeper." (Corvallis Gazette-Times)
July 24, 1933: "After 20 years of government service in the lighthouse work Henry Hill has retired and will reside at Agate Beach for the present. Mr. Hill was stationed at Yaquina Head lighthouse for more than eight years." (Corvallis Gazette-Times)
July 28, 1933: “Henry Hill, for the last eight years in charge of the Yaquina Head lighthouse, has retired from active service. He has been a lighthouse keeper for more than 20 years.” (Siuslaw Oar)
July 28, 1933: “Henry Hill, for the last eight years in charge of the Yaquina Head lighthouse, has retired from active service. He has been a lighthouse keeper for more than 20 years.” (Siuslaw Oar)
April 29, 1938: “The Lighthouse department is preparing to install a radio beacon at the Yaquina Head lighthouse. The beacon will prove a great aid to navigation as the signals can be picked up from a far greater distance than the light can be seen even in clear weather, says the Newport Journal.” (Siuslaw Oar)
April 29, 1938: “The Lighthouse department is preparing to install a radio beacon at the Yaquina Head lighthouse. The beacon will prove a great aid to navigation as the signals can be picked up from a far greater distance than the light can be seen even in clear weather, says the Newport Journal.” (Siuslaw Oar)
May 1, 1939: "G. H. Fulkerson, officer in charge of the Yaquina Head lighthouse, said today that the usual 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. daily visiting hours at the lighthouse would be increased during the Newport crab festival, to permit travelers and visitors more time in which to inspect the lighthouse.
On Saturday, May 6 visitors will be permitted from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, May 7, the lighthouse will be open from 9 a.m. to 12, and from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Last year, according to Fulkerson, 12,407 persons visited the lighthouse." (Corvallis Gazette-Times)
November 27, 1939: "An announcement has been made that the Yaquina Head lighthouse intensity has been increased to 40,000 candle power and the characteristic has been changed to double flashing, white every 20 seconds; flash two seconds; eclipse two seconds; flash two seconds and eclipse 14 seconds." (Corvallis Gazette-Times)