Why Terrible Tilly Lighthouse is So Dangerous | ABANDONED

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Explore the Tillamook Rock Lighthouse's captivating history and perilous allure in this fascinating video. Known as "Terrible Tilly," this abandoned beacon stands tall amidst the unforgiving Oregon coastline, braving treacherous storms and haunting tales. Discover why this iconic structure has earned its reputation as one of the most dangerous lighthouses in the world. Join us as we delve into the captivating stories surrounding Tillamook Rock Lighthouse, unveiling the secrets and mysteries that shroud its eerie existence. Prepare to be enthralled by this legendary landmark's tragic past and breathtaking beauty.
Tillamook Rock Light was officially lit on January 21, 1881. At the time, it was the most expensive lighthouse to be built on the West Coast. Due to the erratic weather conditions and the dangerous commute for keepers and suppliers, the lighthouse earned the nickname "Terrible Tilly."
#lighthouse #abandoned #history
Chapters:
00:00 - Why Tillamook Rock Lighthouse is known as “Terrible Tilly”
00:33 - A tour of Tillamook Rock Lighthouse
02:11 - Why did Lighthouse keepers need an office?
03:18 - How Lighthouse keepers entertained themselves
05:12 - Why Tillamook Rock Lighthouse was built
06:33 - The Tragic Construction Process of Tillamook Rock Lighthouse
07:34 - The dangerous operation of Tillamook Rock Lighthouse 1881
08:53 - The Folklore surrounding Tillamook Rock Lighthouse
09:49 - The current use for Terrible Tilly
11:11 - The impossible upkeep of Terrible Tilly
IT’S HISTORY - Weekly Tales of American Urban Decay as presented by your host Ryan Socash.
» CONTACT
For brands, agencies, and sponsorships: [e-mail]
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» CREDIT
Scriptwriter - Neve Brown,
Editor - Karolina Pleskot,
Host - Ryan Socash
» NOTICE
Some images may be used for illustrative purposes only - always reflecting the accurate time frame and content. Events of factual error / mispronounced word/spelling mistakes - retractions will be published in this section.

[@krissolson7043]

Love your videos. It's Or-Gun not Ore-Gone. ❤😂💯

[@MrCtsSteve]

Lol my Navy buddy used to say that very same thing

[@debbylou5729]

@@MrCtsSteveit’s ‘or a gun’. You thought you had it right…..that’s hilarious 😄

[@WinkelManBearPig]

It's pop, not soda

[@MrCtsSteve]

@@WinkelManBearPig lol true story

[@xp8969]

It's also Tillamook, not Tillamonk 😂

[@moondog-HMB]

Tillamook Light House marks the beginning of "Graveyard of the Pacific" I was lucky enough to grow up ocean front Cannon Beach OR and got to gaze out at this landmark on every clear day. Spectacular, thank you.

[@Andy152R]

I was in the Navy, stationed in Washington state. I can tell you the seas off the coast of Oregon are no joke. On our destroyer, there were many injuries, broken plates, glasses and damaged equipment like computers that weren't tied down.

[@barryrammer7906]

Did you ever go to Depot Bay ? That's where the coast guard purposely capsize their vessels. I use watch them for hours. That's where the coast guard trains. Very cool. I lived on the coast 6 years. We have people especially crab fishermen lose thier lives every year. The water as you know is always 50. Numbing and you can live maybe 5 minutes. I know exactly how nasty the OR coastal waters are. Don't surprise me that a destroyer got knocked around like a tin can.

[@Andy152R]

@@barryrammer7906 I'm actually not sure if we ever went there or not. I was in engineering, so I didn't usually know where we were, exactly. I definitely knew when we made it to Oregon's coast, lol. Well, they didn't call us Destroyer crew "Tin Can Sailors" for nothing, haha.

[@barryrammer7906]

@@Andy152R thanks for your service Andy. Dirt sailer here SEABEEs.

[@Andy152R]

@barryrammer7906 much appreciated, brother. Thank you for yours as well. I ran in to a few of you on my IA assignment with a PRT in Afghanistan.

[@Radbot776]

Went fishing out there, need to be paying attention the whole time your out there, anyone being too lax will lose teeth or break ribs

[@LexipMedia]

Just a note ... The lighthouse was not built because that section of coast was "too dark and dangerous" (5:16). Lighthouses are typically built to mark hazards to navigation (such as that big rock Tillamunk sitting several miles offshore) and to serve as navigation beacons to give mariners a reference point to plot course by. The light does not illuminate any part of the coast; rather it serves as a visible marker to identify a specific point on the ground or the sea.

[@kinocorner976]

Tillamook*

[@2nd_of_3]

It’s how he’s pronouncing it 😁 I have that picture 🥰 we live in Arizona now..

[@franksaxton3583]

The best place I know of to see Tillamook Lighthouse from land is at Ecola State park just north of Cannon Beach. Bring binoculars. I've been there many times and love it during the dead of winter during king tides. Incredible forces of nature at work. Disliking people as much as I do, being a lightkeeper on Terrible Tilly would be a dream assignment for me. Especially as a Navy sailor who loves the sea.

[@galewinds7696]

You can always arrange to stay there in an urn.

[@dapetik]

I love Tillamook ice cream!

[@edwinholcombe2741]

Tillamook, Ecola and Cannon Beach? Never heard of these places. What country?

[@edwinholcombe2741]

@@user-pv8xk6yd2q Thanks

[@m118lr]

@@edwinholcombe2741 …riiiiiight.

[@johnkeating2828]

I was just on the rock a few months back to help paint and board up some windows and the front door. 10/10 would go again

[@peterdebad1]

As an Oregonian and a light house geek I always look forward to my trips to the coast and Tilly is on the list even though it is only a visual experience. Forbidding during storm season and welcoming in the summer, A destination all year long. Thanks for doing this. Peace!

[@MikeHunt-fo3ow]

is that where anteefa live?

[@Judymotto742]

❤

[@ricksmith4736]

@@MikeHunt-fo3ow Yes, all of the unwanted Californians brought them...

[@Glenn-em3hv]

Why only a visual? I'd get a boat and head out to it!!!

[@kinocorner976]

@@Glenn-em3hvI believe it’s privately owned. Second, the waves out there are dangerous. Even if you’ve had seas legs your entire life, it’s not worth dying for. Best chance is to use a drone.

[@LiquidAudio]

I visited this beautiful part of the world in 2007, I absolutely love the Oregon coast and Pacific Northwest. Greetings from Mike in Perth, Western Australia!

[@mikemecklenborg5412]

Greetings from Mike on Whidbey Island, Washington. Been hear 40 years and I love the Pacific Northwest. Just spent Summer in Depot Bay, Oregon. Love the area.

[@NikeaTiber]

If you have ever been to the Oregon coast it is immediately apparent why lighthouses were needed. It is a treacherous place, most of the few landable sand beaches are warded by extremely hazardous stone spires made even more hazardous by unpredictable currents. I'm 40 years old and my grandfather started teaching me seamanship when I was four. My first trip up the "Lost Coast" from San Francisco to Portland frightened me more than any other coastline I've witnessed.

[@trishg5820]

The Columbia River Maritime Museum in Astoria, OR covers this well. Apparently the seas at the mouth of the Columbia River are the most treacherous in the world.

[@WydeAWake-yc3tp]

The repetitive music in the background is NOT a plus. Very annoying.

[@Scottocaster6668]

I didn't even notice that.

[@murraykitson1436]

The record was jumping ! It reached the point where the music tended to demand my attention at the expense of the commentary , so I had to replay part of the video again . Perhaps a suitable song for background music would be "I Wanna Marry a Lighthouse Keeper" from the movie " A Clockwork Orange " ! 😂. An example of a video from It's History with very appropriate and subtle background music would be " California's Lost Highways Under Water " .

[@gearjammer3688]

Lose the bloody music.

[@covertops19Z]

So many KZbin makers feel they need back ground music. It's distracting, irritating and totally ruins this brief..

[@______638]

@@Scottocaster6668 hey your smoke alarm is beeping!!

[@carlinshowalter1806]

7 am and I'm watching this and wishing I was there instead of here in Texas where we just suffered through a week of 105 degree weather! I'm 62 years old and Oregon is still on my bucket list as my mother was born there.

[@FYMASMD]

As a former governor said,”come visit, but please don’t stay”. Unfortunately that didn’t work. You know what I mean living in Texas.

[@lorizold349]

Funny thing…we here in Oregon we’re 104 that week.

[@bikeman1x11]

ill take 100 over the rain and chill of oregon

[@thomasboes48]

Great video. Anyone from Oregon can appreciate this thorough investigation, given the spooky nature of this local enigma! From the coast, one can see just enough to spark more curiosity... and not much more, even with binoculars.

[@62-62]

What’s creepy is the music playing in the background!

[@acriley87]

As a professional woodcarver, I would love to be a lighthouse keeper. I love solitude. Carving is a lonely profession.

[@jamiesuejeffery]

I've spent a lot of time on that part of the Oregon coast. If you ever happen to go there, check out the Tillamook Cheese Factory and the Blimp museum. The way the jet stream moves, can bring in some very high winds which will drive the seas. To swim in the ocean, a full body wet (or preferable dry) suit is required, and rip tides are not uncommon. That lighthouse would have been a miserable place to be stationed, simply because of the three seasons of really awful weather.

[@barryrammer7906]

They have the best ice cream and cheese.

[@mackpines]

So happy you did this! I'm a huge fan of Tillamook Lighthouse. Just something so beautiful yet, so mysterious about it.

[@Soundbrigade]

Mr Socash is obviously all over the place; in Chicago, on the beaches in Normandie and now on the US Westcoast ... And as always telling a very good story the perfect Socash way! Thumbs up!

[@StLouis-yu9iz]

This reminded me of the water towers in the Mississippi River near the Chain of Rocks Bridge in St. Louis! Great future episode ya. ;]

[@raylv6962]

'Local conditions, made worse by wild fire?' What the hell are you going on about)

[@ramblingrob4693]

Wildfire in the Sea, that's a new one.

[@spikenomoon]

This is insane. Never have I thought about the dangers of it all. How did they get all the concrete out there WOWWOWWOW

[@carlinshowalter1806]

My guess was they mixed it on site..

[@SofaKingShit]

The trick is to beat the workers.

[@scottyfromthe80s]

@@SofaKingShit 😂

[@grmpEqweer]

Um...they used boats to get it out there? A guess.

[@NoNORADon911]

They used flying saucers

[@frankgrima]

It would have been nice to see interior spaces with furniture and occupants using it.

[@Glenn-em3hv]

It's not like he's going to take a boat out there and film it for you!!!

[@johnransom1146]

Historic photos?.@@Glenn-em3hv

[@HardDriveGuruOfficial]

What you're wanting to see literally does not exist. The lighthouse is a decayed shell of what it used to be.

[@johnransom1146]

Again , historical photos. Maybe at a mainland library? Why jump on my face, think it through before opening mouth @@HardDriveGuruOfficial

[@kinocorner976]

@@johnransom1146Because those photos don’t exist. Look it up online. The closest you’re gonna get is some drone footage at the doorway and a polaroid of a fisherman who took a photo inside on the top. Even if they did, they’re most likely long gone. Additionally, Terrible Tilly became a columbarium: a storage house for urns full of cremated human remains. Later lost that license, and there’s still human urns still there. Out of respect of the dead. Many photos since then haven’t been taken.

[@kevinquist]

Ive always been enamored with light houses. I have always found this light house amazing. I hope it gets saved.

[@smoke3560]

Another great video. I'll be glad when you guys get the recognition you deserve!

[@ITSHISTORY]

We are humbled by your support:)

[@presmasterflash7555]

@@ITSHISTORYwell deserved

[@minorclips7541]

He has a 1/2 a million followers I think hes getting his recognition

[@presmasterflash7555]

@@minorclips7541 there other channels that don’t have as quality of content that have more. I’d say they deserve it and more.

[@MGE-Gibs]

I’ve hiked the coast many times and always seen the lighthouse from the distance. Never knew the history behind it until now.

[@JackF99]

9:50 "The lighthouse is an epic example of Urban Decay". What??? 😂

[@IanT372]

I've always been fascinated by onimus lighthouses.

[@adventureseeker9800]

Absolutely fascinating. Always heard of it but never knew anything about it!

[@mariahb5194]

Really enjoyed this!! Great video

[@haroldishoy2113]

I would recommend reading James A. Gibbs’ book “Tilamook Light” about his time as a lighthouse keeper in the late 1940s. He tells about whitewashing the exterior of the building dune flies and the incessant heat during the summer months. Because of the powerful storms and enormous waves, stones were often cast through the glass panels of the lighthouse at the top of the structure.

[@WookieeMonster1]

I made the trip a few years ago from my home in SoCal up to Mt St Helens, then back down along the coast. Stopping at Ecola and seeing Tilly was definitely on my list of stops.

[@jamesleyda365]

Mt St Helens.... Awesome

[@ricksmith4736]

thank you for going home....

[@Teresa-Teresa2024]

Just imagine being a LH Keeper during one of those Pacific storms where the waves practically swallow up the lighthouse. The force and amount of water must have broken in the doors and windows of the living quarters. There was no choice but to ride out the storm inside the lighthouse itself and pray that a monster wave didn't swallow up the whole place. Cold, wet, the screaming wind and roar and pounding of the water must have been absolutely terrifying.

[@Lurker1979]

Reminds me of the stories of the North Atlantic lighthouses on the coast of the UK.

[@brodrick3164]

The structure is unusable. Air BnB: hold my beer.

[@Preparation--__h__i__]

Doesn't work like that🤓

[@alanzaleski7160]

I enjoy your videos very much.They are very interesting and entertaining. This one for some reason especially. Thank you very much.

[@natewilson111]

Onymous: "bearing a name. especially : giving or bearing the author's name. an onymous article in a magazine. opposed to anonymous."

[@johncornell3665]

Great video

[@optical_ideas]

Very interesting, thanks

[@JS-yj7ow]

“Onimous”? Listened three times, and I definitely heard “onimous”. Only the first of many mis-pronunciations.

[@lescobrandon8841]

No graffiti on the building, refreshing.

[@FYMASMD]

Try getting there. That is an issue.

[@lescobrandon8841]

@@FYMASMD I realize that. Just happy to see no graffiti.

[@stanislavkostarnov2157]

as with many lighthouses, it is scenic, & the viewpoint across it can make a minor tourist destination on a trail...

[@fortress1133]

As a Long Islander there are many lighthouses here steeped in history. Montauk, Fire Island, Huntington and more. And the history dates back to George Washington or before. I would love to see your videos on one of those.

[@mariekatherine5238]

I’d love to know what’s inside the lighthouse at Cedar Point Park. Is it even still there?

[@fortress1133]

@@mariekatherine5238 Yes it is still there. It was gutted by fire in the mid 70s so apparently nothing inside. There are plans to restore it and make it a BnB. It did get a new temporary roof in 2017 so that's a start.

[@JadedBelle]

It's so beautiful there! I've visited several times over the years.

[@oystertoadfish1149]

Eatons Neck lighthouse was my next door neighbor for 3 years courtesy of the Coast Guard. I was also stationed in Coos Bay, OR. I’ve visited every lighthouse on the Oregon Coast except for Tillamook. It’s a very picturesque coast.

[@LionheartedDan]

Excellent bio for the Lighthouse - Thank you!

[@ITSHISTORY]

You're very welcome!

[@trickolas78]

Don’t listen to the haters, Ryan. We love you!

[@yourfellowsimmer5368]

Is there drama involving him? Would take a lot for me to dislike him, hope everything's cool.

[@jamesalbrecht418]

He is the man. The internet is just full of bullies just like school

[@cathleenfrances2907]

Hi, great video. By the way, I’ve lived in Oregon 67+ years. We say “ORY-gun.”

[@Slane583]

There's not really any light houses in my neck of the woods. But if you take a small trip out of this area you eventually make it to where there are some. But since I don't travel all that much the only one I know of personally is the one near Crown Point, NY. There's probably more about, but I don't know them.

[@davidchosewood647]

Just curious. How did they obtain fresh water for drinking, cooking etc? From rain? Could always take a bath in saltwater I guess.

[@dannydaw59]

Theres no dock. How did they unload supplies and the lighthouse keeper without slamming up against the rocks?

[@Scottocaster6668]

Helicopter i think. Pretty dangerous though

[@MrJeep75]

Tender ship, with a anchor station off the rock, then they used breaches buey to land men, to land supplies they had a Derek boom, look it up there's pictures

[@MrJeep75]

​@Scottocaster '66 not originally there was no helicopters

[@GH-oi2jf]

With great difficulty. There was a crane which can be seen in the photo at 3:31.

[@jasonlewis1926]

A bosun’s chair was used to transport people and goods.

[@jangles1839]

Mispronounced words whether intentional or not, I truly enjoy your stories Ryan and look forward to the next! 💙🙏🏼

[@mattclark6246]

Tillamook lighthouse was also featured on legendary lighthouses part one from the pbs channel they were going to renovate it as a non profit organization To keep the legends alive I love all lighthouses across America and the world 🌎 Shalom dove 🕊️ of peace ☮️

[@timothyoo7]

Lovely drawings! Its been a while since I've drafted anything by hand. It's a lost art, that I should stay up on!

[@tyhogue8316]

I bet the fishing is great!👍

[@janeanf123]

Love your reviews. Your topics are great. I suggest getting rid of the music. It’s distracting and the tapping sequences are annoying Thanks!

[@ITSHISTORY]

I’m considering that, it’s certainly less work for the editor.

[@GustavoLovato]

100% agree!

[@juangarcia-kq8zp]

I'd like to see a video about shoals where there are no lighthouses. Before GPS, imagine how many ships wrecked on shoals - i.e. submerged ridges, banks, or bars that rise near enough to the surface of a body of water as to constitute a danger to navigation.

[@starlaminde8436]

Love tillie she’s hauntingly beautiful and sentimentally sad.

[@neilfoster814]

"I'll buy that for a Dollar". What a cool place to enjoy a bit of solace.

[@dustinmeyer5644]

I want to live there. Sounds nice

[@disgrutledhobo6204]

Ory-gun...Oregon....Orygun

[@yeetube-ghostedMoose]

... 11:00 - screaming skull image on the face of the seaward cliff. I'd have no problem being a keeper on this rock back in her heyday. Take that, Poseidon!

[@stanvalentine1839]

I sure miss seeing that light house. It was 2001 before I moved to the east coast

[@melissamiller6182]

Terrible tilly is my favorite....2 hours from her.❤

[@NicCageForPresident2024]

I live in Washington near another lighthouse I'm going to move there and become a new Lighthouse Keeper

[@t4lovers688]

I would love to live there ❤

[@perryandy2]

There's no need for an introduction when the title of the video explains everything

[@jonwallace7015]

As a combat expert and a military background and former architect and royal engineer I would love to practice on this light house.i hope this helps you .Good day.

[@ShelterCats]

Yay you left Chicago for once!

[@A2B773]

Those Chicago videos 🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@ITSHISTORY]

Videos topics come in waves because as we research, we come across other interesting topics in the same area.

[@ShelterCats]

@@ITSHISTORY Keep up the good work.

[@randomvintagefilm273]

I would love to stay out there!

[@gregatkinson7276]

I enjoyed the video as it was well done. However the narrator MUST be the one who inspired the physical appearance of "Butthead" complete with mispronunciation of the name Oregon. lol

[@johnroddy8756]

Money has been squandered worse,Then repairing a Noble light house.

[@aaronkuntze7494]

My X and I drove the entire length of the PCH and stopped at every light station from forks Washington to san Diego California.

[@mikehartman5326]

Why are so many people saying amediately instead of immediately. 5:53

[@mborges2133]

I'm sure there was a stash of porn somewhere...sure of it.

[@thosoz3431]

Always useful when you're polishing your lantern.

[@carlinshowalter1806]

well,they did say you had to more or less entertain yourself........😂😂

[@MrGruffteddybear]

Living alone on a remote island appeals to me. 😊

[@davidwilliams7552]

I am confused why you call thia "urban decay". This is the most non urban place possible.

[@davidelliott5843]

Bell Rock has an even bigger story.

[@thosoz3431]

The transcript of this video reads like it was written by a 12 year old.

[@carlinshowalter1806]

Don't watch.😏

[@therighttoreply4849]

You should look up fastnet lighthouse in Ireland, á lot smaller then the one you talked about, there is pictures of waves breaking over it

[@bettygreenhansen]

Oregon’s treasure. Preserve it as long as possible.

[@deborahpaine4198]

The music is distracting. Great story though. Thank you.

[@marktadlock5428]

I think it would be nice to turn it into a research center

[@robertstoddard3626]

Id love living thier would be exciting

[@Quattro_Joe]

“Pass the time” Wonder what they did 😂😂😂

[@johnransom1146]

The music. Make it stop

[@ml.2770]

No kidding. The background music is totally unnecessary and grating.

[@belliott538]

I’d buy it, rebuild & update it and live there… If I had the Cheddar… Cheers!

[@raycooney7632]

Does the Coast Guard maintain an automated light and fog horn like they do in so many other lighthouses that no longer have keepers?

[@MrJeep75]

Nope

[@NotSoCrazyNinja]

Give it to me and I'll live in it full-time.

[@mrrmut57]

Would make a fine AirBNB

[@UQRXD]

I want to live there.

[@ricksmith4736]

We want you to stay in California

[@UQRXD]

@@ricksmith4736 Must I?

[@ricksmith4736]

@@UQRXD Just know that you are UNWANTED in any other state.. Except New Yauk...

[@carlinshowalter1806]

@@UQRXD Get out while you still can! You can do better anywhere.

[@DarthHao]

“Constants and variables. There’s always a lighthouse. There’s always a man. There’s always a city.”

[@jetsons101]

Maybe make it into an Airbnb.

[@jamesmusisca7547]

if i was there you'd hear some metal crankin

[@marktadlock5428]

I would love and thrive in a position like that.

[@Listitan]

I want to live there o.o

[@andrewallen9993]

Why not build a lighthouse to the British design of Stevenson?

[@popeyesailor9571]

Looks like what I imagined the lighthouse of cabra from 9 princes in amber by Roger Zelazney

[@foxyroxstar]

They Operate Many Lighthouse Remote? You'd Think That THAT! Could Still Be An Option!

[@alainvosselman9960]

It looks safe because of its height but it's very deceptive. Ocean waves can easily grow to 50ft and as they approach the rock the waves will jack up even higher because of friction with the bottom.. all that water wants to move forward but it can't..so it goes up. Plus ocean water surface rises and falls. I wouldn't want to be there when a severe storm breaks out.

[@user-ym4xy6us5e]

You don't just casually mention that the company Eternity at Sea was censured for "mishandling urns" and not elaborate.

[@dredgerivers7730]

The wine cellar was pedestrian, at best.

[@PACstove]

Its Or-E-gun. That's how we pronounce our state name.

[@trainsNwrestlin]

The only way to really preserve this magnificent structure is to relocated to land. I know it may be divisive, and it may be very expensive. But it's the only way in my mind.