On the eve of December 20, 1870, the Fresnel lens at Cape Blanco Lighthouse was lit for the first time. This lighthouse holds at least four Oregon records. It is the oldest continually operating lighthouse, it is located the most westerly, it has the highest focal plane above the sea (approx. 250 feet), and it was run by Oregon’s first woman keeper, Mabel E. Bretherton, who signed on in March 1903.

Cape Blanco’s history is full of shipwrecks and lives saved. One notable shipwreck was the J.A. Chanslor, an oil tanker that sank in 1919. Of the 39 passengers, only 3 survived the collision with an offshore rock. [Cape Blanco Heritage Society]

“Visit the restored 1898 Victorian farmhouse built for pioneers [and dairy ranchers] Patrick and Jane Hughes … You can learn about ranch life more than 100 years ago and about the couple’s seven children, one of whom was a longtime keeper at Cape Blanco Light Station.” This house was added to the National Register of Historic Places on November 28, 1980. [Cape Blanco Heritage Society]

You’ll cross the Elk River twice and ride along side it between the two crossings. It is designated a Wild and Scenic River for its outstanding salmon and trout habitat and water quality. “The combination of water, color, exposed rock surfaces, dynamic flow and relatively undisturbed environment creates an interesting and beautiful landscape throughout the year.” [National Wild and Scenic Rivers System]

The major portion of Elk River Hatchery construction was completed in 1968. In 1971, the hatchery completed final construction on an intake and ten new ponds. The purpose of the facility is to supplement natural production of fall Chinook in the Elk and Chetco Rivers and winter steelhead in the Chetco River. The facility is used to collect Elk River fall Chinook, to incubate eggs, and to rear both natural and hatchery fall Chinook and winter steelhead. [Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife]