Heceta House: A History and Architectural Survey

Heceta House has stood high on a headland of the Oregon coast for almost 90 years. In that time, the house has played host to homesteaders, lighthouse keepers, school teachers, road workers, military patrols and travelers.

The headland of Heceta, located 13 miles north of Florence on Highway 101, has been used for Indian settlements, lighthouse reservation, post office and military base. At present, Lane Community College holds weekend classes at the head.

The historic value of the site was recognized in 1978 when it was included on the National Register of Historic Places. The house, garage, lighthouse tower and two oil houses at Heceta all were listed on the register. The Waldport Ranger District of the Siuslaw National Forest, owner of the house, was charged with administration and maintenance of that building. The lighthouse and oil houses are owned by the U.S. Coast Guard, and that agency is responsible for their upkeep.

This history, which was funded by the Forest Service, will be used by cultural resource personnel at the Waldport District in developing a restoration and maintenance program for the house.

A maintenance program is particularly important for Heceta House due to its location: it is constantly subjected to salt air, strong winds and rain.

Much of the early history of the headland has been lost. Only a few articles in books and newspapers remain to tell us of the building and "breaking in" period of the house. However, many former residents of Heceta are living, and they have provided photographs and information on the later history of the head.

In a strict sense, this is a history of the house itself: a history of when and why it was built, why some rooms were added and others razed. However, without the stories of those who made their home at Heceta House, this would be little more than a compilation of facts, figures and dates.

It is the memories of Heceta Head's former residents, as well as the memories of their friends and neighbors, that give life to this history. Their stories of agate hunting, abundant elk and salmon, barn dances, fourth of July picnics and USO movies are as much a part of the site as the house itself.