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COQUILLE RIVER (BANDON)
May 5, 1915: "The lighthouse at the entrance of Coquille River at Bandon is to be changed, according to the following from the Bandon Western World:
Captain O. Wiren of the U.S. lighthouse service, in charge of the local station is expecting the inspector for this section of the Pacific coast in Bandon within the next few weeks.
At the last session of Congress, $6,000 was appropriated for changing the station from the north to the south side of the river. This money is now available and two other stations authorized on the Oregon coast are under construction. It is said that as soon as the work on these is completed the local change will be commenced. While here last May the inspector and Mrs. Wiren investigated the land lying south of the river and chose a suitable location for the residence buildings.
The location for the lighthouse building chosen is a position on the south jetty. It is said this is an ideal one. The machinery to be used will be taken from the present building, but a new house is to be constructed. The buildings on the north side of the river will be abandoned." (The Coos Bay Times)
Captain O. Wiren of the U.S. lighthouse service, in charge of the local station is expecting the inspector for this section of the Pacific coast in Bandon within the next few weeks.
At the last session of Congress, $6,000 was appropriated for changing the station from the north to the south side of the river. This money is now available and two other stations authorized on the Oregon coast are under construction. It is said that as soon as the work on these is completed the local change will be commenced. While here last May the inspector and Mrs. Wiren investigated the land lying south of the river and chose a suitable location for the residence buildings.
The location for the lighthouse building chosen is a position on the south jetty. It is said this is an ideal one. The machinery to be used will be taken from the present building, but a new house is to be constructed. The buildings on the north side of the river will be abandoned." (The Coos Bay Times)
December 18, 1888: "Our congressman has introduced in congress a bill appropriating $18,000 for construction of a life-saving station and lighthouse at the mouth of the Coquille river, in Oregon. We need a light house now and with increased shipping in the near future it will be indispensable. It would not only be of benefit to local, but outside shipping as well." (Coquille City Herald)
March 20, 1890: "In the Senate the bill appropriating $50,000 for a lighthouse and fog signal at the mouth of the Coquille river on the Pacific ocean was reported and placed on the calendar." (Oakland Tribune - California)
April 2. 1895: "The Bandorille has been chartered to carry the material for the lighthouse to be built here. The contractors propose buying all the material in Oregon, and there will be five to six hundred tons of rock to bring from Yaquina, and about 500 tons of brick, cement, doors, windows, etc., to be brought from Portland. Work on the lighthouse will begin as soon as the contract is confirmed at Washington and it is expected that work will be begun in April." (Coquille City Herald)
April 9, 1895: "A brickyard is about being opened at the old race-course in Bandon. It is said to contain a very valuable clay for that purpose. and plenty of it also. It is expected that some of the brick made there will be used in the construction of the lighthouse on the opposite side of the river, as well as buildings in the town." (Coquille City Herald)
April 30, 1895: "The Lighthouse--Bays & Jeffrys, contractors for the building of the lighthouse here having failed, the contract will be carried out by their bondsmen who have contracted with Perham & Smythe to carry out the contract. Messrs. H. W. and A. Perham are here with a number of workmen and a lot of material and the work will be prosecuted as rapidly as possible. Men were sent up yesterday to open up the quarry at Russell Panter's place, and the intention is to get the rock out and ship it down and cut it on the ground." (Coquille City Herald)
July 2, 1895: "Daniel Giles was in town Monday, having come down with a scow load of brick, the first shipment for the lighthouse buildings." (Coquille City Herald)
July 23, 1895: "Giles & Son's brickyard at Myrtle Point is the leading industry at that place. They have a contract with the government to furnish brick for the lighthouse at Bandon, which is being filled now, and other orders which will take them well toward fall to supply." (Coquille City Herald)
July 30, 1895: "The last scow load of rock necessary to complete the foundation of the lighthouse tower and engine room was brought down last Sunday from the quarry, and the structure is about ready for the brickwork. The walls for the dwelling house at the station are now above the first floor." (Coquille City Herald)
September 3, 1895: "Major Post and Major Brownlie, of Portland, Oregon, arrived here last evening to inspect the work on the lighthouse." (Coquille City Herald)
October 15, 1895: "The lighthouse looms up nicely across the river. It will soon be completed and ready for use." (Coquille City Herald)
December 24, 1895: "C. D. McClure, superintendent of lighthouses for the coast, came over from the bay on Monday's train, and went to Bandon to put in the machinery in Bandon's new lighthouse. A lot of the machinery also came on the train and was transferred to yesterday's boat." (Coquille City Herald)
December 31, 1895: "The machinery for the lighthouse is here and will soon be in place." (Coquille City Herald)
January 14, 1896: "On last Sunday afternoon a party, consisting of Stanley Graham, fireman on the tug Triumph, Mrs. W. H. Thomas, Miss Alice Decker and three other ladies started to cross the river to the new lighthouse opposite Bandon. The tide was running out and instead of heading up stream so as to be carried across by the current they headed straight across. The terrible current proved too strong for Mr. Graham and they were carried almost into the breakers before making the sand spit on the north beach. The women in the boat were screaming and the whole town was in a fever of excitement for a short time. It was a close call, for if the boat had been caught in the breakers doubtless all of its occupants would have been drowned." (Coquille City Herald)
February 11, 1896: "J. Fred Barker, from the Heceta Head lighthouse, who has been selected as keeper of the new lighthouse at Bandon, passed through town last Wednesday on his way to take charge of the new light." (Coquille City Herald)
February 11, 1896: "The household goods of Fred Barker, the lighthouse keeper at Bandon, went down on yesterday's boat." (Coquille City Herald)
February 18, 1896: "The parties that are to take charge of the lighthouse are here and are moving into their new quarters; everything will be in running order soon and Bandon will hav one of the best lighthouses on the coast." (Coquille City Herald)
February 25, 1896: "The lighthouse will be lighted up about February 29th." (Coquille City Herald)
November 12, 1896: "Mr. Jacobson, who had the contract for erecting the Bandon lighthouse, has been awarded the contract for jetty work in Marshfield. His bid was 52 cents a ton." (Lincoln County Leader)
July 1, 1897: "The Bandon lighthouse is being re-cemented on the outside, to afford the building better protection from the heavy weather." (Lincoln County Leader)
February 8, 1898: "A petition is being circulated to change the boundary between the Bandon and Prosper school districts so as to set the lighthouse property in this district. This change should be made as the children at the lighthouse are out of reach of the Prosper schoolhouse." (Coquille City Herald)
November 28, 1899: "During the rough weather last week and when the heavy seas were beating against the lighthouse, a large stick of wood was violently thrown through one of the windows. The stick went through the window endways with such force that it only made a hole just large enough for it to go through." (Coquille City Herald)
August 10, 1901: "The repairing of the lighthouse at Bandon is well under way. J.A. Laughead has charge of the work." (The Coast Mail)
February 22, 1902: "Lighthouse Constructor, W.G. Carroll has about finished repairs at the lighthouse. An oil house yet remains to be constructed,--Bandon Recorder." (The Coast Mail)
March 10, 1903: "Mrs. B. J. Bretbertan, widow of the late lighthouse tender at Bandon, who started for her former home, met an appointment at the bay as assistant keeper of the Bandon light and returned immediately." (Coquille City Herald)
December 13, 1905: "Mr. Hartman, light keeper at the Bandon lighthouse, was in town yesterday." (Coquille Herald)
June 19, 1907: "Four nice engines, or rather two engines and two compressors were received last week by the lighthouse people at Bandon, which will be used to operate the fog-horn. Gas engines will take the place of steam so as to avoid the delay of firing up when fogs come in suddenly." (Coquille Herald)
November 28, 1908: "Unless something is done soon to prevent it from making inroads, Captain Chas. Pond says the Coquille River will undermine the residence occupied by the lighthouse keeper at that station. The channel has shifted to the north side of the river and is washing away the bank at a remarkably lively rate. Captain Pond says a rock embankment ought to be built or the lighthouse property will likely be destroyed. The captain returned home this morning after having spent more than a week inspecting the several stations of southern Oregon. He explains that the dike being built by the citizens of Bandon is responsible for the Coquille shifting its channel." (The Coos Bay Times)
January 1, 1909: "J.A. Laughead, an old Coos county pioneer, but now superintendent of construction and repairs for the Lighthouse Department of Uncle Sam's marine service, arrived in Marshfield today from Portland. He is on his way to Bandon to make some repairs on the shore line of the Coquille near the lighthouse, The river has been eating into the banks near the lighthouse until it became dangerous. Mr. Laughead will not know the extent of the improvement or whether a bulkhead will be necessary until he makes an inspection." (The Coos Bay Times)
May 2, 1910: "A petition is being circulated and everybody is signing it to have lights placed on the jetty and to move the lighthouse to the bluff on the south side of the river, it is stated by marine men that the lighthouse is really a detriment where it now is, as it throws a glaring light directly into their eyes as they attempt to cross in over the bar at night, and thus blind them so they cannot see the channel, and then the light, where it now is cannot be seen from the sea until the vessels get directly in range with it, but if it were up where the lookout now is it would be different, as then the light could be seen far at sea, and be of some use to mariners." (The Coos Bay Times)
August 27, 1910: "Mr. Elliott writes that the lighthouse at Bandon is to be changed to an oil vapor light which will increase its brilliancy. The matter of putting the lighthouse on the south side of the river mouth will require an appropriation from congress but if the need seems to exist Commander Elliott has it in his power to place lights on the jetty as an aid to navigation. He will visit Bandon soon to investigate the matter." (The Coos Bay Times)
August 11, 1911: "A portion of the lighthouse jetty, 220 feet long, was washed down by the breakers Sunday night, and this, with what has previously gone out, makes a gap if nearly 400 feet that has been washed out. The lighthouse jetty was built only two years ago at a cost of about $4,000 to the light house department and it would appear that it is impossible to build a jetty that will stand against the continual pounding of the surf in that particular place. It will be remembered by people who were here two years ago, how close the water came to undermining the dwelling of the light house keepers, and only for the erection of the jetty at that time, the building would have been in the sea in a few days.--Bandon Recorder." (The Coos Bay Times)
January 4, 1912: "Lighthouse Inspector Beck arrived here from Portland today en route to Bandon where he will inspect the lighthouse there. It has been reported that the lighthouse is being undermined as a result of the jetty protecting it giving away. There is also a demand at Bandon that the location be changed. He will look into these matters." (The Coos Bay Times)
January 11, 1912: "The District Lighthouse Inspector was in Bandon last week regarding the removal of the lighthouse there. A petition was circulated some time ago asking that the lighthouse be moved, but the nature of the petition was misunderstood as it was the intention to have it moved across the river near the Lookout. A new petition will now have to be prepared which should come from marine men who are familiar with the situation." (Coquille Herald)
December 11, 1912: "Capt. O. Wiren, co-operative observer, says that the rainfall during the month of November was the greatest for any single month since he has been in charge of the local lighthouse. It was 10.96 inches." (The Coos Bay Times)
December 30, 1912: "G.R. Putnam, commissioner of lighthouses, in his annual report recommends an appropriation of $4000 for the lighthouse at the Coquille river. This is presuming to be for moving the lighthouse at Bandon, which was advocated by owners and masters of vessels and also by the Bandon Commercial Club. It is expected that the appropriation will be made at this session of congress." (The Coos Bay Times)
November 28, 1913: "The big tides of Wednesday and Thursday cut through on the north side of the lighthouse and left it on an island. The island was only during high tide and as soon as the tides went down there was dry land or wet land, again. It will be remembered that the Recorder called the attention of the public to this dangerous condition about a year ago.
The big tides also washed out a big portion of the beach sidewalk and came near undermining the barn belonging to E, H. Fish and occupied by Gatchell Bros. transfer line." (Semi-Weekly Bandon Recorder)
October 13, 1914: "The planking of the road to the light house is now assured and the work will be started in a short time and completed before winter." (Semi-Weekly Bandon Recorder)
February 5, 1915: "Rumors that have been going the rounds to the effect that the Bandon lighthouse would be moved over to this side of the river, would seem to have confirmation in the following letter received by the Recorder yesterday from Congressman W. C. Hawley. The letter which is self ex-planatory follows:
Washington, D. C., Jan. 28, 1915
The Bandon Recorder, Bandon, Oregon:
My Dear Sirs:
I take pleasure in advising you that late yesterday afternoon the House of Representatives passed a bill for the improvement of the light house service in which I had an item of $6,000 for 'improvement of aids to navigation at or near the entrance to Coquille river, Oregon.'
With best wishes, I am Truly Yours, W. C. Hawley." (Semi-Weekly Bandon Recorder)
September 5, 1916: "The old light crowning a rock at the north entrance to the Coquille river is to be removed, according to announcement made yesterday by Robert Warrick, Government lighthouse inspector, says the Oregonian. In its place a new light operated by electricity, is to be placed at the extreme end of the south jetty at the river's mouth.
The old light was rendered practically useless when the jetties were built so they extended out far beyond it. The new light will also be equipped with a fog signal, operated by electricity." (Coquille Herald)
March 10, 1933: “A new mantle lamp is being installed in the Coquille river lighthouse at Bandon. It is not electric, but it will throw a powerful light.” (Siuslaw Oar)
March 10, 1933: “A new mantle lamp is being installed in the Coquille river lighthouse at Bandon. It is not electric, but it will throw a powerful light.” (Siuslaw Oar)
July 12, 1935: “Coquille river is to get a new electric fog siren at once, according to advises from the lighthouse department, Portland. The siren will be placed at the river's mouth.” (Siuslaw Oar)
July 12, 1935: “Coquille river is to get a new electric fog siren at once, according to advises from the lighthouse department, Portland. The siren will be placed at the river's mouth.” (Siuslaw Oar)
August 16, 1935: “The fog siren installed near Bandon some time ago has become somewhat of an annoyance, as it appears that it is being promiscuously used, and something may very likely be done about it. It seems that the shrill whistle has blown every time it is foggy at sea.” (Siuslaw Oar)
August 16, 1935: “The fog siren installed near Bandon some time ago has become somewhat of an annoyance, as it appears that it is being promiscuously used, and something may very likely be done about it. It seems that the shrill whistle has blown every time it is foggy at sea.” (Siuslaw Oar)
April 28, 1939: “Pouring concrete for the base of the new lighthouse and foghorn at the entrance of the Coquille river harbor has started. The new light will be 5400 candlepower automatically controlled.” (Siuslaw Oar)
April 28, 1939: “Pouring concrete for the base of the new lighthouse and foghorn at the entrance of the Coquille river harbor has started. The new light will be 5400 candlepower automatically controlled.” (Siuslaw Oar)
November 3, 1939: “Transfer of the U. S. lighthouse department to the coast guard department and the establishment of a new fog signal and electrically controlled fog light on the south jetty at the mouth of the Coquille river means the elimination of one of the oldest landmarks on the landscape—the lightkeeper's residence on the north sandspit.” (Siuslaw Oar)
November 3, 1939: “Transfer of the U. S. lighthouse department to the coast guard department and the establishment of a new fog signal and electrically controlled fog light on the south jetty at the mouth of the Coquille river means the elimination of one of the oldest landmarks on the landscape—the lightkeeper's residence on the north sandspit.” (Siuslaw Oar)
January 19, 1940: “C. F. Walters, who became keeper of the Coquille River lighthouse on the retirement of O. R. Langlois has been transferred to Cape Mears near Tillamook. Since the new light and fog signal have been established on the south jetty the operating is in charge of the Coast Guard.” (Siuslaw Oar)
January 19, 1940: “C. F. Walters, who became keeper of the Coquille River lighthouse on the retirement of O. R. Langlois has been transferred to Cape Mears near Tillamook. Since the new light and fog signal have been established on the south jetty the operating is in charge of the Coast Guard.” (Siuslaw Oar)