As early as the 1880's, ship owners and sailors wanted a life-saving station on the southern Oregon coast - the dangerous currents and high winds had driven numerous boats onto the rocky shore. On March 3, 1891, an act of Congress authorized the establishment of a life-saving station at or near Port Orford.
It was not until 1906 that property was acquired and approvals obtained, but the plans and documents were lost in the San Francisco earthquake and fire. When the Life-Saving Service merged with the Revenue Cutter Service in 1915, residents continued to pressure the newly formed Coast Guard to construct a life-saving station in Port Orford. In 1932, an $83,000 appropriation was made for the establishment of the station - the Port Orford Lifeboat Station was commissioned on July 1, 1934 with an officer in charge, a crew of thirteen men, two motor lifeboats and two pulling boats.
The Port Orford station was unique in its layout. The crew quarters, officer's cottage and garages were located on the Port Orford Heads, a rocky outcropping almost 300 feet above the ocean. The boathouse was located in a cove below the Heads, connected to the main station by a staircase of over 530 steps. The "Coasties" carried fuel for the motor lifeboats in five-gallon jerry cans down the steps - difficult under the best conditions, near impossible in a strong Pacific storm.
The station served the coast until its closure in 1970. During its 36 years
of operation, it performed numerous rescues, including three major shipwrecks
and casualties of Japanese submarine attacks in World War II. From 1970 to 1976,
the station was used as a maritime research facility and finally turned over
the Oregon State Parks Department. Click HERE to learn about the Heads State
Park.
The Point Orford Heritage Society restored the vacant building and opened a museum. The entire 101-acre site is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is one of the best examples of Chatham type stations still standing. Museum displays include a Lyle gun, shipwreck artifacts, a 36-foot motor lifeboat, photographs and other memorabilia. Visitors can also experience lifting two full jerry cans, and are invited to participate in the annual Jerry Can Race.
Since opening in 2000, thousands of visitors have enjoyed the museum and the outstanding trail system on the Heads. For more information, write to P.O. Box 1132, Port Orford, OR 97465, or on the web at www.portorfordlifeboatstation.org.
It was not until 1906 that property was acquired and approvals obtained, but the plans and documents were lost in the San Francisco earthquake and fire. When the Life-Saving Service merged with the Revenue Cutter Service in 1915, residents continued to pressure the newly formed Coast Guard to construct a life-saving station in Port Orford. In 1932, an $83,000 appropriation was made for the establishment of the station - the Port Orford Lifeboat Station was commissioned on July 1, 1934 with an officer in charge, a crew of thirteen men, two motor lifeboats and two pulling boats. 
The Point Orford Heritage Society restored the vacant building and opened a museum. The entire 101-acre site is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is one of the best examples of Chatham type stations still standing. Museum displays include a Lyle gun, shipwreck artifacts, a 36-foot motor lifeboat, photographs and other memorabilia. Visitors can also experience lifting two full jerry cans, and are invited to participate in the annual Jerry Can Race. 
