If you crave a getaway where salty sea air, rugged coastal cliffs, historic architecture, and the possibility of ghostly company converge, Heceta Lighthouse B&B is hard to beat. You may fall asleep to the creak of old floorboards and wake to the lighthouse beam sweeping the dark ocean — and perhaps find that you weren’t alone. Just request the Victoria Room (or one of the rooms in the old keeper’s cottage) and make sure to bring a flashlight for nighttime strolls along the fog-shrouded path to the lighthouse.
Brief Hotel History
The building that houses Heceta Lighthouse B&B was originally the assistant lightkeeper’s house for Heceta Head Lighthouse, which was completed and first lit in 1894.
The lighthouse and associated keepers’ quarters were part of a complex that included a head lightkeeper’s home, assistant-keeper homes, barns, and oil storage — all built to guide ships along the treacherous coast.
Over time, the head keeper’s house was demolished (in the 1940s), but the assistant keepers’ house remained. After automation of the light in the 1960s, the surviving house was eventually converted into a bed & breakfast.
Since 1995, the restored keeper’s cottage has offered guests historic charm, ocean views, and — for some — a brush with the supernatural.
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Haunted Hotspots & Reported Paranormal Activity
The guest-book and lore refer to a ghost known as Rue, often described as a woman with silver hair wearing a long Victorian gown. She is said to haunt the former lightkeeper’s cottage — now the B&B.
Many stories center around the “Victoria Room,” believed by some to be Rue’s former quarters. Guests have reported unusual activity there.
Common paranormal reports include:
Furniture or objects being moved or misplaced.
Battery-operated candles turning off by themselves.
Sounds of footsteps, soft knocking on walls, and unexplained presences being felt at night.
A famous reported sighting in 1975: a workman cleaning an attic window claimed he saw a reflection of an old woman in 1890s-style dress. He fled and refused to return. Later, broken glass inside the attic was found neatly swept into a pile overnight.
While the lighthouse tower itself is not commonly considered haunted, the keepers’ cottage (now the B&B) maintains its reputation as one of the most haunted houses on the Oregon coast.
Recent Guest & Visitor Experiences
A 2025 article described how some modern guests still report sightings: a “gray-haired woman in Victorian dress” seen drifting through hallways, or mysterious occurrences such as doors closing and items being moved. –That Oregon Life
In a guest review from May 2022, one visitor admitted they never saw Rue — but a staff member told them she once watched battery-operated candles turn themselves off simultaneously. The guest considered Rue to be a “friendly ghost,” more curious than harmful. –Nancy D Brown
Other guests express that the B&B’s charm lies in its blend of ocean-front calm, historic ambiance, and the tantalizing possibility of a ghostly encounter — perfect for travelers seeking a gentle thrill with their morning coffee. –Islands
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