Bandon-by-the–Sea, a charming seacoast village, was first settled in 1850. New arrivals from Bandon, Ireland, soon saw the town adopted their old hometown name. Today, Bandon’s nickname of Cranberry Capitol alludes to its cranberry festival and the area's myriad of cranberry products. Tourism is also big in Bandon. With its beautiful coastal views, area restaurants, vacation rentals and seaside B&Bs ensure that birders, anglers, vacationers, bikers, golfers and sightseers have a comfortable stay.
   Bandon’s distinctively octagonal shaped light-station, the last to be built on the Oregon coast, suffered years of neglect when abandoned in 1939. When the U.S. Coast Guard took responsibility of the Coquille River Lighthouse, a cost saving measure placed an automated beacon on the south jetty. The light-keeper’s dwelling was dismantled and the lighthouse left to the corrosive elements of the Pacific Ocean.
   Many vacationers head to nearby Bullards Beach State Park, a site which includes the Coquille River Lighthouse grounds. The lighthouse wasn't always the highlight of the park. After seeing how neglected the lighthouse was, park officials made sure there was a happy ending. The first lighthouse restoration project came in 1976, led by a dual effort by Oregon State Parks and the Army Corps of Engineers. Later restoration in 2007 repaired erosion damage to the foundation, saw the roof replaced and new exterior paint. The new lighthouse colors stirred up the locals, as they remembered their beloved lighthouse was always white. The main photo captures the Coquille River Lighthouse after the restoration period, displaying a controversial paint scheme of red and tan.

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