Why Cape Meares v.s Cape Lookout?

Many years ago, durng the Miocene Epoch, the Coast Range was elevated and basins were formed. 

The Tillamook Basin was one of the areas. In areas all over the Northwest enourmous amounts of lava flowed from the vents. In the Tillamook area two centers of this activity were Cape Meares and Cape Lookout. The three Arch Rocks are also a part of this flow. These two basalt outcropping were both candidates for the lighthouse. 

Captain John Meares was the first Englishman to chart the northern outcropping and he named it Cape Lookout.

Lighthouse Placement Considerations 

The object was to place the lightouse where their beams would meet and cross each other so that a ship was never out of signt of a light.  The first lighthouse constructed was at Cape Disappointment on the north side of the Columbia River. At the time that area was part of the Oregon Territory.  Next was the Umpqua Lighthouse built in  1857.

In 1886, Captain Powell, of the U.S. Corps of Engineers, noted that Cape Meares was covered with good soil with spruce and hemlock timber. The southern point of the Cape extended another 200-300 feet further into the ocean and was free of timber. Also, he noted that there was a spring which would furnish the water for construction purposes. 

Captain Peterson traveled by trail over Cape Meares to Netarts Bay, crossed the Bay, walked 6 miles down the beach to Cape Lookout, and then climbed  the ridge, approximately 900 ft. There was not a trail at that time that led to the end of the Cape. It was covered with thick brush and fallen timbers. He then walked over 2 miles, following bear trails, with two other men. It  took them a whole day to reach the point and back. 

For location purposes,  Cape Lookout divides the distance between Tillamook Rock and Yaquina Head. That was the only plus factor with too many minuses: one being the heavy fog and another difficulty of getting any equipment to the Cape.

Construction Begins

Local loggers were subcontracted to do the hauling from the Bay to the site. A lighthouse tender brought materials and supplies into Tillamook Bay. 

The plan was that a road would need to be built following the beach above the high water line; four  miles up the beach, to the point of a small stream. The trail would then follow the stream along the side of the hill at a grade of about 5 ft. per 100.  According to surveryor, George Freeman , the cost of the road would be prohibitive at $2070.

With a change in plans, a scow was used to bring materials and supplies from the end of the spit on the south end. Then a team of horses and oxen would bring it up the station site. The final works of grading and all buildings amounted to $33,829 paid to Robert Seaman of Portland, Oregon. The total coast of the project was $44,529.

Preparations for the building plans began in 1887, were approved and authorized, contracts were awarded, work began, was completed and inspected. The lighthouse was put into service in 1890.

According to Cleveland Rockwell, Corps of Engineers, "Contrary to the legends that the lighthouse was misplaced, it is obvious that they knew exactly where and why the lighthouse was going to be built. Cape Meares was the practical choice."

References: Cape Meares and its Sentinel, Jensen and Fairfield

                 Geodetic Survey 1887