In 1892, a crew of 56 constructed the Heceta Head light. Because of the site's seclusion, building materials were either shipped in if the weather and tide permitted, or brought from Florence by wagon, the latter usually taking four or five hours. Stones were brought from the Clackamas River and bricks came from San Francisco. Completed in August 1893, the entire project cost $80,000.

The Fresnel lens used is a series of prisms that can project horizontal light beams over a greater distance. The lens is mounted on a rotating platform which gives the effect of a flashing light. With different designs and rotation of speed every light house projects a different flash sequence to make each identifiable to mariners.