Heceta Head Light

Heceta Head Light is a lighthouse on the Oregon Coast north of Florence, and south of Yachats in the United States. It is located at Heceta Head Lighthouse State Scenic Viewpoint, a state park, midway up a 205-foot-tall (62 m) headland. Built in 1894, the -tall lighthouse shines a beam visible for , making it the strongest light on the Oregon Coast. The light is maintained by the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department (OPRD), while the assistant lighthouse keepers' house, operated as a bed-and-breakfast inn, is maintained by the U.S. Forest Service. The lighthouse is from Sea Lion Caves. History and construction Heceta Head is named after the Spanish explorer Bruno de Heceta, who explored the Pacific Northwest during the late 18th century. Before him, Heceta Head was a spot of frequent fishing and hunting by the American Indian tribes that populated the area. Heceta Head is part of the Siuslaw Indians' traditional lands, known in their language as ɫtúwɪs. They hunted sea lions in the area and gathered sea bird eggs from the offshore rocks. It was also the site of a legend — the Animal People built a great stone wall, which is now the cliffs, and tricked the Grizzly Bear brothers to their deaths there. In 1888, white settlers moved into the area and claimed of the surrounding land. That same year, the United States Lighthouse Service approved the building of the lighthouse, and the government bought , out of the previously purchased, for the lighthouse structures.