The lighthouse took almost two years of construction to complete by August 20, 1873. The Oregon winter weather often caused delays and other construction difficulties.

The Yaquina Head Lighthouse is the tallest lighthouse on the Oregon coast at 93 feet taking 114 steps to climb the tower to the light after entering from the marble floored rotunda. The light shines 162 feet above ocean level and can be seen for a distance of more than 18 miles.