The Festive Magic at the Coast

In the late 1800s, the Heceta Head Lighthouse between Florence and Yachats was a beacon for seagoers navigating the treacherous currents of the Pacific Ocean. Named after the Spanish sailor Bruno de Heceta (Hezeta), Heceta Head Lighthouse stands 205 feet above the Pacific Ocean on a bluff carved out of the west side of the 1,000-foot-high Heceta Head, complete with a Queen Anne-style Keeper’s House nearby. These days, the Keeper’s House hosts weddings and reunions, and around the holiday season, it takes on more festive lighting. The 28th Annual Victorian Christmas Open House is set for four family-friendly evenings starting Dec. 14. Each evening will have music, refreshments, Santa for the children, raffles and glorious light displays both inside and outside the Keeper’s House. Admission is free, but donations are accepted on behalf of the nonprofit Keepers of Heceta Head Lightstation. “It’s a treasure to have it and to keep it,” says Misty Anderson, the event coordinator for Heceta Head Bed and Breakfast. She notes that, depending on the weather, upward of 150 to 300 people will tour the downstairs portion of the Keeper’s House in an evening, and if the weather is clear, Anderson adds that it will be a treat for visitors to walk to the base of the lighthouse itself and absorb its beacon of light. Just bring a flashlight to walk that portion of the trail.

The 28th Annual Victorian Christmas Open House is Dec. 14, 15, 21 and 22 — 4 pm to 7 pm each day — at Heceta Lighthouse B&B, 92072 US-101, Florence. More information is at HecetaHeadLighthouse.com. FREE. Parking is available at the Heceta Head Lighthouse State Scenic Viewpoint, just below the Keeper’s House, for $5 per vehicle. A free shuttle will take visitors from the park to the front door.

A Note From the Publisher

Dear Readers,

The last two years have been some of the hardest in Eugene Weekly’s 43 years. There were moments when keeping the paper alive felt uncertain. And yet, here we are — still publishing, still investigating, still showing up every week.

That’s because of you!

Not just because of financial support (though that matters enormously), but because of the emails, notes, conversations, encouragement and ideas you shared along the way. You reminded us why this paper exists and who it’s for.

Listening to readers has always been at the heart of Eugene Weekly. This year, that meant launching our popular weekly Activist Alert column, after many of you told us there was no single, reliable place to find information about rallies, meetings and ways to get involved. You asked. We responded.

We’ve also continued to deepen the coverage that sets Eugene Weekly apart, including our in-depth reporting on local real estate development through Bricks & Mortar — digging into what’s being built, who’s behind it and how those decisions shape our community.

And, of course, we’ve continued to bring you the stories and features many of you depend on: investigations and local government reporting, arts and culture coverage, sudoku and crossword puzzles, Savage Love, and our extensive community events calendar. We feature award-winning stories by University of Oregon student reporters getting real world journalism experience. All free. In print and online.

None of this happens by accident. It happens because readers step up and say: this matters.

As we head into a new year, please consider supporting Eugene Weekly if you’re able. Every dollar helps keep us digging, questioning, celebrating — and yes, occasionally annoying exactly the right people. We consider that a public service.

Thank you for standing with us!