Sharmagne Leland-St. John
ARTIST’S STATEMENT:
I have always been fascinated by and have a great love for lighthouses, so much so that several decades ago I tried to find one I might purchase and turn into a home.
A few years ago, Victor and I planned a visit to my fly-fishing lodge up in Arlington, Washington. We decided to drive up along the coast.
The first photo on the title page, I had actually made some time ago in black-and-white and this time wanted to photograph it in colour, so we drove to the Coquille River Lighthouse in Bullards Beach, Bandon Oregon and I was able to make this photo.
I read that in 1939, the Coast Guard assumed responsibility for Coquille River Lighthouse and decided it was no longer needed. An automated beacon was placed at the end of the south jetty, the dwelling was disassembled, and the lighthouse was abandoned. The lighthouse stood neglected for twenty-four years, until Bullards Beach State Park was created on the north side of the river. The grounds of the original eleven-acre light station were included in the park, and the park assumed responsibility for the lighthouse.
The damage inflicted on the lighthouse by time and vandals was too much for the park system to reverse by itself, but a joint restoration effort involving the state and the Army Corps of Engineers was launched in 1976. The lighthouse’s roof was repaired, bricks were replaced, and the structure received a fresh coat of paint before it was opened to the public in 1979.
(https://www.lighthousefriends.com/light.asp?ID=127)
Our next photo was the Hecata Head Lighthouse, perched up on a promontory overlooking the Pacific, in Lane County, Oregon.
Heceta Head Lighthouse sits 206 feet above the Pacific Ocean. The iconic 56-foot tower, and stunning setting, make it one of the most photographed on the Oregon Coast. The light atop the tower was first illuminated in 1894. Its automated beacon, seen 21 miles from land, is rated as the strongest light on the Oregon coast.
https://stateparks.oregon.gov/index.cfm?do=park.profile&parkId=86
From there we travelled to the Umpqua River Lighthouse in Reedsport, Oregon.
Located at the mouth of Winchester Bay, Oregon, the first Umpqua River Light was built in 1855 and lit in 1857. Built along the river channel, the original light was vulnerable to seasonal flooding.
(https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Umpqua_River_Light#History)
The Yaquina Bay Lighthouse in Newport, Oregon is a historic landmark sitting right at the mouth of Yaquina River in the Yaquina Bay State Park at Newport. The lighthouse is considered to be the oldest building in Newport, the second-oldest standing lighthouse in Oregon, and the only lighthouse in Oregon with living quarters.
(https://www.lighthousefriends.com/light.asp?ID=127)
Crossing into Washington we had good luck photographing at Casey Historical Park in Coupeville Washington the sky was full of clouds, and it was a lovely day to go on a lighthouse photo safari.
(https://www.lighthousefriends.com/light.asp?ID=127)
Cape Disappointment Lighthouse in Ilwaco, Washington lived up to its name. We wanted to get up close, but there was no way to get there, nor any better angles so we had to be happy with what we had.
https://www.bing.com/search?q=cape%20disappointment%20lighthouse&FORM=ARPSEC&PC=ARPL&PTAG=30530100
The North Head Lighthouse in Seaview, Washington was next on our journey.
Set on the northwestern spur of Cape Disappointment, North Head Lighthouse is still active in aiding navigation of the treacherous waters below. Tours of the lighthouse are volunteer operated. Stroll the grounds or climb to the top of North Head Lighthouse for views of the Pacific Ocean, Long Beach Peninsula, Columbia River Bar and the northern Oregon Coast.
https://parks.wa.gov/find-parks/state-parks/cape-disappointment-state-park/north-head-lighthouse-cape-disappointment
Later that year Victor took a course on Remote Viewing in Cedar City, Utah. It was quite a surprise one day to see this landlocked lighthouse, so of course we had to stop while I made this picture. Ansel Adams said, “You don’t take a picture you make a picture.”
There are quite a few rumors claiming they know why or how the lighthouse was built. One story says that it was originally a lighthouse in Europe that was disassembled and transported to Utah and rebuilt at its current location. Another site claims it is, or was, a church.
The lighthouse was originally built to be an icon that would set Providence Center apart from other developments in Utah. But there's also an underlying reason for its construction. According to Thomas A. Pugh, managing partner of the Providence Center and CEO of Quantum Construction, it was built in preparation for a big earthquake when California may drop off into the ocean, at which time the lighthouse in Cedar City, Utah will be the only lighthouse standing on the 'new' Pacific Coast of the United States.
https://www.suu.edu/blog/2018/08/why-is-there-a-lighthouse-in-cedar-city.html
Victor and I lived in Italy for 5 years and during a trip to Venice we walked for what seemed miles along the lagoon in search of Faro dell'Isola di Murano, Mestre. We had visited the Island so Victor could see how they make Murano glass.
This lighthouse is an active lighthouse located in the southeast part of the island of Murano in the Venetian Lagoon on the Adriatic Sea.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Murano_Lighthouse
We were trapped in Tuscany during COVID. As soon as they lifted the quarantine restrictions a tiny bit we spent 3 weeks driving the Amalfi Coast. We stumbled upon this lighthouse nestled in the shimmering waters of the Ionian Sea, Sant’ Andrea Island presents a mesmerizing tapestry of natural landscapes and serene environments. This enchanting island off the coast of Gallipoli is renowned for its breathtaking beauty, featuring rugged cliffs, hidden coves, and pristine beaches that invite visitors to unwind and soak in the sun. The island is largely unspoiled, offering a tranquil atmosphere perfect for relaxation or exploration. Nature enthusiasts will revel in the diverse flora and fauna, while the crystal-clear waters are ideal for swimming, snorkeling, and discovering the rich marine life that thrives in the area.
https://evendo.com/locations/italy/salento/attraction/sant-andrea-island
Closer to home we frequently visit Point Vicente Lighthouse. It was built in 1926, following years of complaints from shipping about the dangerous waters around the Palos Verdes peninsula. It is situated just north of the entrances to the Los Angeles/Long Beach Harbours.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Point_Vicente_Lighthouse
from the ferry ~ Mukilteo ~Washington
|
