Visitors at Cape Meares Lighthouse - stock photo

Cape Meares State Park, Oregon, USA - May 29, 2010: The Cape Meares Lighthouse is located on the northern Oregon coast, near the town of Tillamook. It sits atop a scenic headland called Cape Meares, which offers breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean. The lighthouse was built in 1890 and was originally operated by the United States Lighthouse Service. Its construction was prompted by the increasing maritime traffic along the Oregon coast, particularly due to the proximity of the Columbia River, a major shipping route. Initially, the lighthouse was equipped with a first-order Fresnel lens, which produced a powerful beam of light. This lens was later replaced by a modern optic system. In 1963, the lighthouse was automated, meaning that it no longer required a resident keeper. With advances in navigation technology, the need for traditional lighthouses diminished, and in 1963, the Cape Meares Lighthouse was decommissioned.