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1956 Map of Heceta Head

Name: 1956 Topographic Map of Heceta Head
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1964
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1964

About this map

The Heceta Head Lighthouse stands as a prominent maritime landmark on this mid-century survey of the Lane County coast. This rugged stretch of the Pacific Ocean shoreline is defined by its dramatic transition from massive sand dunes and coastal lakes to the steep timbered slopes of the Siuslaw National Forest. Inland, a network of freshwater bodies including Mercer Lake, Sutton Lake, and Clear Lake are separated from the sea by narrow ridges and shifting sands, illustrating the unique hydrology of the Oregon Coast before extensive modern development.

Local settlements and recreation sites such as Roosevelt Beach, Heceta Beach, and the Ocean Beach Forest Camp dot the corridor along Highway 101. Near the mouth of the Siuslaw River, the map records essential maritime infrastructure including a Coast Guard Station, Range Lights, and a Jetty. Further north, landmarks like the Sea Lion Caves and the botanical interest of Darlingtonia State Park highlight the region's long-standing status as a destination for naturalists and travelers.