The Cape Arago Lighthouse is actually situated on an islet know as “Chief’s Island” or “Lighthouse Island”. On November 1, 1866 the lighthouse was lit marking the busy channel into Coos Bay (then know as Marshfield). It was the second light station to be built in Oregon.

The light was built on the narrowest part of the island. The stormy seas continuously pounded it. It started to erode and even after it was shored up it wasn’t going to last very long. It was evident that a new structure was going to have to be built.

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The second lighthouse was a wooden structure located further back on the islet. This structure became the official light in 1909. The sea continued to do its damage. The structure was finally removed and replaced with a concrete structure in 1934, making it the youngest of Oregon’s remaining lighthouses.

The islet is eroding away and eventually this lighthouse will be gone. It will be very sad because of the history behind the structure. The only way to reach it is across a footbridge.

The light was automated in 1966, and a newer lens installed in 1998. It runs off solar panels. The original Fresnel lens installed in the first lighthouse is on display at the North Bend coast guard station.

The lighthouse is visible to the public in four different ways.

• There is a turnoff from Cape Arago Highway, just south of Sunset Bay State Park, where the lighthouse can be seen in the distance.
• You can go to the U.S. Coast Guard lookout on top of Coos Head.
• Hikers can get closer by following a trail out to the headland on the south side of Sunset Bay.
• The closest and best view is by a charted boat. Some charters are available in Charleston. The closest view is by chartering a boat.
• Betty Kay Charters of Charleston will take boatloads of four or more passengers out for $30 each. At the Charleston Seafood Festival each August, the price is $6

In mid-October of 2005, a notice was sent out to mariners by the Coast Guard stating that the Cape Arago Lighthouse would be deactivated. Chief Dale Dempsy, who is in charge of the aids to navigation team in Charleston, OR, said "no comments to speak of" were received, so he turned off the light on January 1, 2006.

Of course, others besides mariners are interested in keeping the light active, and the deactivation has sparked a debate that hopefully will lead not only to reactivating the light but also to making the lighthouse accessible to the public.

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