Correspondence of LH board 1901-1910

OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY 11302 WAR DEPARTMENT MAR 26 1906

OFFICE OF CHIEF OF ENGINEER 58859 WAR DEPARTMENT MAR 26 1906

Washington, March 23, 1906

105 I.Y.B. U.S. ENGINEER OFFICE APR 3 1906 PORTLAND, OREGON.

Gearin, Senator J.M.

Incloses correspondence in re inquiry of Dan.J.Maher, Clerk, Port of Portland,Ore., as to status of Government Light House after abandonment, at Yaquina Bay,Ore., and as to what interest Government retains in same, with a view to leasing or purchasing.

3 incls 15 May '06 ??? 13 ??? 4572 RH 1889 ??? REC'S BASE, OFFICE OF CHIEF OF ENGR APR 14 1906 Incs 1-3 acc'g REC'D MAR 26 1906 RECORD DIV. WAR DEPT. ???

***NEXT PAGE*** MAY 9 1906 LIGHT HOUSE BOARD 1053 RECEIVED

WAR DEPARTMENT, OFFICE OF THE CHIEF OF ENGINEERS, ???

ENCLOSURE

1954 March 28, 1906. 4547 Respectfully referred to Maj. T. W. Rossler, Corps of Engineers, for remark and recommendation. To be returned. By command of Brig. Gen. Mackenzie: ??? ??? Major, Corps of Engineers. 58859 Inclos. t- 3 accomp'g

3rd indorsement, U. S. Engineer Office, Portland,Oregon,Apr. 6, 1906.

1. Respectfully returned to the Cheif of Engineers,U.S.Army. 2. The reservation in question comprises about 36 acres. There is an old abandoned light house dwelling, with tower attached, on the ocean front. Also a dwelling formerly used for quarters in connection with the harbor improvement.

***NEXT PAGE*** 3. The light house was built in 1871 and the light has been discontinued since October 1, 1874, upon the completion of the first order light at Yaquina Head about 4 miles to the north. 4. The improvement of Yaquina Bay has been discontinued and as the War Department has no present use for the reservation, I would recommend that it be returned to the Department of Commerce and Labor, which now has jurosdiction over light house property.

S.W.Roessler Major,Corps of Engineers,U.S.A. 3-Inclos. 1-3. accompg. J.P.B. 105-I.Y.B.

Through Col.W.H.Heuer, Corps of Engineers,U.S.Army, Division Engineer, Pacific Division, San Francisco, Cal.

4th indorsement. United States Engineer Office, Pacific Division, San Francisco, Cal. ,Apr.9,1906. Respectfully forwarded to the Chief of Engineers ,U.S.Army.

WH HEuer Colonel ,Corps of Engineers, Division Engineer. Inclos.1-3 accomp'g.

REC'D. OFFICE CHIEF OF ENGRS. APR 14 1906

***NEXT PAGE*** 5th indorsement. WAR DEPARTMENT, OFFICE OF THE CHIEF OF ENGINEERS, WASHINGTON, APRIL 17, 1906.

1. Respectfully returned to the Secretary of War. 2 Senator Gearin desires to the informed regarding the status of certain land, known as the Light-House Reservation, at Yaquina Bay, Oreg. 2. This reservation, comprising about 36 acres, was, by authority of the Secretary of the Treasury, dated October 24, 1888, transferred by the Light-House Board to the officer in charge of the improvement of Yaquina Bay, for the temporary use of the War Department, with the understanding that when no longer used by the said Department, or whenever required by the Board, the reservation and buildings should revert to the care of the Light-House Establishment. 3. Inviting attention to the report of Major Roessler, in 3d indorsement hereon, I recommend that the Department of Commerce and Labor be informed that, as the improvement of Yaquina Bay has been discontinued, the War Department has no present use for the reservation and there is no objection to the Light-House Establishment resuming possession and control thereof. I further recommend that Senator Gearin be informed of this action.

??? Mackenzie Brig. Gen., Chief of Engineer.

58859 Inclos. 1-3 accompg. ???

Treasury Department

Washington

May 3, 1906.

Office of General Superintendent of Life-Saving Service

In Replying Quote these figures: L.R.92811/9

The Honorable The Secretry of Commerce and Labor

Sir: Since the life-saving station at Yaquina Bay, Oregon, was located, changes have taken place on the beach and on the south side of the bay, near the harbor entrance, which make it desirable to relocate the station on the north side. It is understood that the old light-house reservation offers a desirable site for the station. It appears that this reservation, under date of October 24, 1888, was transferred to the War Department for temporary use. This Department has just been informed that on the 18th ultimo the War Deparment advised you that it had no present use for the reservation, and that there was no objection to the Light-House Establishment resuming possession and control thereof. I have the honor to request that, if not incompatible with the interests of the Light-House Establishment, permission be given the Life-Saving Service to occupt the reservation in question for life-saving purposes.

This Department is informed that on the reservation there are two buildings formerly used for light-house purposes, but now practically abandoned. I would respectfully request to be informed whether, if the above permission is granted, your Department has any objection to the use of these buildings by the Life-Saving Service, if found desirable.

Respectfully,

???

Secretary.

United States Senate, WASHINGTON, D.C. April 30 1906.

Hon. Victor H. Metcalf,

Secretary of Commerce and Labor.

Sir: I have the honor to enclose a letter from the Hon. Assistant Secretary of War, relating to the status of certain lands, known as the lighthouse reservation, at Yaquina Bay, Oregon. I have been seeking information as to whether or not this land would be acquired by private parties, and will thank you to inform me thereon, and to return the letter I enclose, with your reply.

Sincerely yours, ???

Stamp reads: OFFICE OF THE CHIEF CLERK RECEIVED APR 21 1906 DEPT OF COMMERCE AND LABOR

1053 1954 4547

WAR DEPARTMENT

11302 WASHINGTON

April 18, 1906

Dear Sir:

I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter 23d ultimo, inclosing correspondence in relation to an inquiry from Mr. Dan J. Maher, Clerk of the Port of Portland Commission, Portland, Oregon, relative to the status of certain land known as the Light House Reservation at Yaquina Bay, Oregon.

Replying thereto I beg to inform you that this reservation, comprising about thirty-six acres, was, by authority of the Secretary of the Treasury dated October 24, 1888, transferred by the Light House Board to the engineer officer in charge of the improvement of Yaquina Bay for temporary use of the War Department, with the understanding that when no longer used by the said Department, or whenever required by the Board, the reservation and buildings should revert to the care of the Light House Establishment.

As it appears fronm a report of the local engineer officer, Major Roessler, that the improvement of Yaquina Bay has been discontinued, the Department of Commerce and Labor has been informed that as the War Department has no present use for the reservation, there is no objection to the Light House Establishment assuming possession and control thereof.

All the papers in the case have been transmitted to the Department of Commerce and Labor, and Mr. Maher should be advised to correspond with the Department regarding further disposition of the property.

Very respectfully, Robert Shaw Oliver. Assistant Secretary of War.

Hon. J. M. Gearin, United States Senate.