The site, located roughly eleven miles north of Florence and eleven miles south of Yachats, was purchased in 1889. One thousand barrels of blasting powder were required to level an even slab on the rocky cliffs. Lumber was provided from local mills, masonry and cement came from San Francisco, and the rock used in the base of the tower was quarried from the Clackamas River near Oregon City. For nearly two years laborers and carpenters worked an average of ten hours a day earning respectively $2 and $4 a day.

It wasn’t until March 30, 1894 that the lighthouse was finally completed and lit by Andrew Hald, Heceta Head’s first principal keeper. An exquisitely massive First Order Fresnel Lens, manufactured in London was installed in the 56’ tower. The lens contains eight panels, with 640 prisms, each two inches thick. It is said to be the strongest beacon on the Oregon Coast, and is visible for over 21 miles.

The outpost was extremely remote and isolated until the 1930’s when Route 101, the Pacific Coast Highway, was constructed. Today there is direct access through Devils Elbow State Park. The historic Queen Ann style assistant keeper’s house was built in 1893, perched on a cliff, with paths leading both to the beach and to the lighthouse.