The Umpqua River in Oregon has had a long lighthouse history. Early explorers and surveyors of the Oregon territory had identified the Umpqua as a possible entryway to vast timber resources. Speculators bought up land along the river valley and agitated for one of the early lights on the west coast. Congress responded with a $15,000 appropriation in August 1852 and 33 acres of land were set aside for a lighthouse reservation.