Today, in answer to a listener question, we take a look at the long and illustrious history of lighted navigational aids and rescue stations on the lower Columbia between Astoria and the ocean.

In particular, we’ll delve into the history of the once proud (and quite useful) Desdemona Sands Lighthouse, which once stood on pilings in the river near Hammond. The Desdemona Light even had her own lighthouse keeper, which must have been quite a job!