Welcome to Bandon - former home of the Bandon Cheese Factory. This little coastal town created the most amazing cheese, in more flavors than most cheese lovers can imagine. Unfortunately the factory closed down awhile back, much to the dismay of this cheese-lover! At the same time, there are still great things to see and do in Bandon. Tourists love the wide variety of little shops throughout the small town while nature-lovers look for Face Rock Wayside or on any one of Bandon's many gorgeous beaches. There's something for everyone in Bandon.

Coming into Bandon from the north, there's a turnoff for Coquille River Lighthouse. Following the paved, well-cared for road back about 5 miles or so, visitors reach the location of a very unique lighthouse on the Oregon Coast - the Coquille River Lighthouse. Built in 1896 and standing 40 feet high, only 47 feet above sea level, this lighthouse is easily seen from Bandon's Beach Loop Drive in downtown Bandon. However, to actually get to the lighthouse, visitors need to turn off just north of Bandon into Bullard's Beach State Park and follow the signs back to the lighthouse.

Construction on this little lighthouse began in 1891, but due to the fact that the lighthouse was originally completely surrounded by water and accessible only by a small bridge, many delays came about before the light finally shown for the first time on February 29, 1896. Then, just 43 years later in 1939, the lighthouse was abandoned and replaced by an automated beacon set out on the end of the south jetty near the lighthouse. This beacon still operates today as the guide for this area.

Coquille River Lighthouse sat for many years, abandoned and nearly destroyed by vandals. Luckily for historians and lighthouse-lovers alike, the U.S. Corps of Engineers began restoring the lighthouse in 1975, and today it stands as one of the oldest remaining buildings in Bandon as well as a favorite attraction in the area. It is also the only lighthouse to ever be hit by a ship! In 1903, an abandoned schooner rammed into it during a storm, causing some damage but not destroying the strong structure. Tours of the lighthouse are available from 10am to 4pm daily from May through September. Donations are accepted to aid in the constant restoration process, and there is no day use fee for the lighthouse, picnic area, or beach surrounding this spectacular site.

As mentioned above, visitors can get a slightly different view of Coquille River Lighthouse by driving into downtown Bandon and heading out Beach Loop Drive to the south jetty. Between viewing the lighthouse and the incredibly gorgeous beach next to the jetty, visitors often find themselves staying in this one area for quite awhile! With the huge rocks sprinkled all along Bandon's beaches, the view from the south jetty is simply spectacular.

Once visitors are able to finally tear themselves away from town, they are encouraged to continue out along Beach Loop Drive to the Face Rock Wayside where they can enjoy a great view of the legendary Face Rock. While this rock and the surrounding beautiful beaches draw visitors to this wayside, the legend associated with Face Rock and the other smaller rocks in the area pulls at the curiosity of adults and children alike.

Legend has it (from the Nah-So-Mah tribe) that Ewanua, a beautiful Indian princess was visiting tribes along the coastline with her father, Chief Siskiyou. While the local tribes lived in constant fear of Seatka, the evil spirit of the ocean, Ewanua and the other members of her mountain-born tribe held no fear of the evil one. Following a great feast set in celebration of their visit, Euwana carried her pets (one dog and a mother cat and her kittens) out to the edge of the sea with her before swimming far out from shore.

All of a sudden, a fearsome creature grabbed her, and Komax, her dog, fearing for Ewanua's life swam out into the dark water and bit Seatka. Hurt and furious with the animal, Seatka kicked off the dog and threw it, along with the cat and her kittens, out into the sea. Filled with rage over losing her beloved pets and knowing the power that lay in Seatka's eyes, Ewanua from then on, refused to look directly at him. Today, she lies in the ocean, looking skyward, continuing her refusal to look into Seatka's eyes, who sits nearby. Her beloved Komax, her cat and the kittens lie to the west of her, waiting in vain for their mistress to arise from the cold ocean.

Of course, if historic Indian legends aren't enough, the simply gorgeous, uncomparable rocks and spectacular beaches sprinkled along the whole Bandon coastline are alone enough to entice visitors back to this little coastal town over and over again. Probably the most beautiful little town on the coast, Bandon has something for everyone. Those travelling down the Oregon coast are encouraged to allow themselves at least one full day in Bandon. They won't regret it. It's what spectacular Oregon truly means.

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