Lighthouses and their Keepers have gone the way of the blacksmith and the milkman. Nevertheless, the weathered relic one mile off shore of Oregon's Tillamook Head reminds us of the once-powerful sentinel Tillamook Rock Lighthouse and her seventy-seven years of service, keeping the sea lanes open and seafarers safe. The brave men who stood duty on the light station learned quickly what isolation was all about, and many of them considered it the loneliest job in the world. The lighthouse earned the nickname "Terrible Tilly," due to the shattering experiences of the people on the monolith during horrific, pounding storms. With no way off the Rock, and no way to call for help, all the Keepers could do was "ride it out." This is the story of those who built it, those who manned it, and those who paid the ultimate price to keep the beacon burning. This is the fascinating history and tales of the Tillamook Rock Lighthouse, tall, proud, and strong.

"What Moby-Dick is to whales, Brilliant Beacons is to lighthouses—a transformative account of a familiar yet mystical subject." —Laurence Bergreen, author of Columbus: The Four Voyages In this "magnificent compendium" (New Republic), best-selling author Eric Jay Dolin presents the definitive history of American lighthouses, and in so doing "illuminate[s] the history of America itself" (Entertainment Weekly). Treating readers to a memorable cast of characters and "fascinating anecdotes" (New York Review of Books), Dolin shows how the story of the nation, from a regional backwater colony to global industrial power, can be illustrated through its lighthouses—from New England to the Gulf of Mexico, the Great Lakes, the Pacific Coast, and all the way to Alaska and Hawaii. A Captain and Classic Boat Best Nautical Book of 2016

Built in 1880, Oregon's Tillamook Rock Lighthouse has had the most notorious reputation of any lighthouse on the Pacific Coast of the United States. Fierce storms regularly catapulted huge boulders through the lantern, with waves that broke over its 136-foot height earning it the modern nickname "Terrible Tilly." It has been described as a pint-sized Alcatraz, and many keepers could not stand its confinement. However, there were some who actually enjoyed it and even came to love it. A rare glimpse of the more pleasant side of daily life on "the Rock" is shown in newly rediscovered historic photographs taken by the keepers who faithfully served there. This important visual legacy serves to temper the horrific view of Terrible Tilly and provides a new perspective: that perhaps an assignment to Tillamook Rock Lighthouse was not so wholly terrible after all.

The lighthouse keeper has gone the way of the iceman and blacksmith, but in the case of Tillamook Rock Lighthouse, the story remains—a complete history of “Terrible Tilly,” seasoned with salty drama and some hilarious adventure. Gibbs, a former Coastguardsman stationed at the infamous rock off Oregon’s north-west shores, knows that wild crag from the inside out, and he has supplemented his account with what happened before he arrived on the scene, and since closure of the light in 1957. Since 1881, Tillamook Rock Lighthouse had been a major factor in marine navigation, from commercial sailing-vessel days down to the age of nuclear-propelled ships. Rightfully famous, the rock has rarely been visited because of its inaccessibility, but countless thousands have gazed at this awesome monolith from shore-side, or shipboard, especially during stormy weather when breakers beat unmercifully against its encrusted crags, and a raging, roiling sea appears determined to break the rock in half.... Of all the lighthouses that dot the shores of the world, few can match the heroic setting of Tillamook Rock, or the turbulent and colorful history of its lighthouse.

One of the most rugged expanses in the continental U.S., the coast of northern California and Oregon saw frequent shipping disasters in the 19th century, before Congress ordered the construction of lighthouses on such dangerous promontories as Heceta Head, Cape Mendocino and a seaward-trending pile of rocks called St. George Reef. The brave, resourceful engineer who directed the Tillamook Rock lighthouse construction, Alexander Ballantyne, was later engaged for the St. George job, and it's this story that author Powers (Treasure Ship) chronicles here. Without any maps to illustrate it, however, readers will need an atlas to follow the movement of men and ships up and down the coast. Later chapters describing lighthouse life prove less problematic; lighthouse keepers were fascinating, courageous characters (and included a good number of women) who not only kept lights burning and fog horns sounding, but also risked life and limb to rescue people stranded in torrential weather.

Where did the Pacific North Coast Indians come from and where did they go? This is the question that many people ask when they hear the fascinating stories of the north coast's history. Broken Arrow, the book, is both a historical narrative and a vivid glance back to the heroic times of long ago when many Indian tribes called the shores of the lower Columbia River their home. Listen for the splash of beaver tails and the high-pitched calls of the sea otters. How did these two animals, of apparently little consequence, help change the course of Oregon's history forever? How did their luxurious pelts make some men rich and others poor, while erasing thousands of years of Indian culture from the Pacific North Coast? Author Brian Ratty crafts a rewarding tale of dueling conflicts: the value of the profitable pelts versus the society and culture of the coastal Indians. This is a story worth telling, in the many voices of the different people who lived during those turbulent times. Broken Arrow is not a textbook about the Indians. Instead, it offers up nuggets of their history, providing fascinating glimpses of how they lived and survived in the wilderness, long before the coming of the white man. The book is a look back at the roots of the people from Beringia who were the first to escape the confines of the last Ice Age. It's the story of their long and painful journey south to new lands that became their new world. Broken Arrow recounts their dreams, mythology, lifestyles, and survival in a land of plenty, with pride, determination, and hope for a new life. This is the Pacific North Coast Indians' history, tales, and legends... two worlds, one destiny.

First and only comprehensive guide to the entire Oregon Coast Trail Experienced, passionate author is the authority on the OCT Perennial interest in long-distance trails From vast beaches and lush forests to windswept bluffs and dramatic sea stacks, the stunning wild coast of Oregon is emerging as the next great long-distance hiking experience. The OCT includes 200-plus miles of publicly accessible beaches, as well as established trails through city, county, and state parks and national forest lands. Breaking the trail into five major sections, each with an elevation profile, Hiking the Oregon Coast Trail provides detailed descriptions of 34 route legs with mileage, maps, resupply options, itineraries, hazards, camping or lodging options, and more. Introductory chapters advise on when to start, what to bring, and what to expect, while sidebars throughout share trail history, flora and fauna, and worthy side trips. The OCT is a truly singular experience with unique challenges such as finding campsites in some areas and navigating coastal tides, weather, and river mouth crossings. This guide synthesizes everything hikers need to know to plan and enjoy a successful adventure.

Tillamook County on the Oregon Coast is a hiker's paradise. From a thigh-pumping trek to the top of Neahkahnie Mountain to a leisurely stroll in Kilchis Point Reserve, hikers will find the trail just right for their ability or sense of adventure. Walk through Douglas-fir forests, along rivers and estuaries, on beaches, and in nature preserves. To plan your trip, go to www.tillamookcoast.com.