Bandon’s distinctively shaped 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 Pacific Ocean elements.
     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 a myriad of cranberry products. The nearby Bullards Beach State Park includes the original lighthouse grounds. Seeing the neglected lighthouse, the state made sure there was a happy ending. The first lighthouse restoration came in 1976, led by a concerted effort by Oregon State Parks and the Army Corps of Engineers. Later efforts in 2007 repaired erosion damage to the foundation, roof replacement and new exterior paint. The new lighthouse colors stirred the locals to speak out, remembering their beloved lighthouse was always white. This photo captures the Coquille River Lighthouse during the early restoration period, before the paint scheme controversy.