Discover lighthouse icons and architectural treasures from Ireland, Europe, the USA, and beyond.
Heceta Head
Perched on a rugged bluff along the Oregon coast, Heceta Head Lighthouse has been illuminating the Pacific since it was first lit in 1894. Constructed in the years leading up to its completion, the lighthouse was built to provide safe passage through one of the most treacherous stretches of coastline in the Pacific Northwest. Named after Spanish explorer Bruno de Heceta, who charted the area in the late 18th century, the lighthouse remains a vital aid to navigation.
With its powerful first-order Fresnel lens, Heceta Head casts one of the strongest beams on the West Coast, reaching up to 21 miles out to sea. The lighthouse stands in a dramatic landscape of steep cliffs and dense coastal forests, making it as visually striking as it is essential for maritime safety. Despite the challenges of operating in such a remote and weather-beaten location, it has remained an enduring symbol of Oregon’s seafaring history.