Because construction is aided today by modern technology and equipment, it's nearly impossible to imagine building a lighthouse during the 1800s. Here at Cape Blanco, named by 16th century Spanish explorers, the lighthouse site made it even more difficult. Located in a remote area on the Oregon Coast, lighthouse construction crews had no existing access roads or any type of safe harbor.
   The westernmost point on the coast, Cape Blanco juts out into the Pacific for a mile and a half. The large headland with 200 foot cliffs presented even more of a challenge. Choosing to manufacture 200,000 bricks on site to avoid transportation costs resulted in more problems. The first batch of bricks, deemed only fair, were barely acceptable. When the second batch was rejected, more brick had to be shipped in to complete the project. Upon delivery to the beach at Cape Blanco a strong storm drove the ship on shore and the building materials were lost. Despite the string of setbacks the lighthouse was completed in December, 1870, when a first-order lens was installed.
   Built on a 47 acre parcel of land, the Cape Blanco Lighthouse, oil house and a duplex light keeper residence were built over a three year period. Although the light keeper’s life was difficult here and relatively lonely, two consecutive light-keepers and their families stayed on duty for eight decades.
   Along with the 19th century era lighthouse, Cape Blanco State Park visitors are able to tour another historic landmark. Arriving in the 1860s, the cape area was home for ranchers Patrick and Jane Hughes. Nearby the Sixes River the Hughes family cleared 2000 acres and established a large herd of dairy cows. Their Victorian farmhouse was built in 1889 and is open for tours from May through September. Coastal hiking trails, campground, picnic tables and a horse camp round out Cape Blanco State Park amenities.

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