August 1, 2025 3:50 a.m.

On Wednesday, Douglas County Commissioners Tim Freeman, Tom Kress, and Chris Boice were on location in Winchester Bay for a special presentation for National Coast Guard Day and National Lighthouse Day and Week.

A county release said proclamations were issued for both.

History celebrates August 4,1790 as the official birthday of the United States Coast Guard. On that day, President George Washington signed the “Tariff Act”, which authorized Secretary of the Treasury, Alexander Hamilton to build the first ten cutter vessels to protect the new nation’s revenue. Later, President Woodrow Wilson signed the “Coast Guard Act” into law on January 28th, 1915. A number of officers from the USCG Base North Bend and at the USCG Station Umpqua River attended the event.

Commissioners also recognized National Lighthouse Day and Week. It is celebrated each year during the week of August 3rd-7th and on August 7th. 236 years ago on August 7, 1789, Congress approved an Act for the establishment and support of lighthouse, beans, buoys and public piers in the United States. The Umpqua River Lighthouse is one of 11 historic lighthouses that have guided ships to safe passage along the Oregon coast for over 100 years. In attendance representing the lighthouse were Museum Director James Davis and other staff.

A copy of the live video presentation can be found on the Douglas County Government Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/DouglasCountyeGovernment