Shore Acres State Park is known for massive “exploding” waves in the winter months. When the surf direction is right, the unique rock formations here thrust waves high into the air. Once the Simpson family estate, the state of Oregon acquired the estate for Shore Acres Park and has maintained the family’s formal garden since that time. The garden is open year-round and includes a popular light display during the holidays. 13 His work included determination of the latitude of the southern-most point of the Paris Meridian. The Paris Meridian was one of the world’s great lines of measurement before Greenwich was deemed the world’s prime meridian by the 1884 International Meridian Conference. The reward for his efforts was his appointment to the Academy of Sciences. Through his work he became friends with and also supported Augustin-Jean Fresnel’s work related to the wave theory of light. Fresnel’s scientific studies led to the development of the Fresnel lens that we see in lighthouses throughout the world and on the Oregon Coast. Exploring south on State Route 540 from Coos Bay there are some stunning views of the Oregon Coast as well as some hidden gems to explore. In particular, the Charleston Marine Life Center, Sunset Bay State Park, Shore Acres State Park with its stunning scenery and beautiful classic garden, and finally Cape Arago State Park. Cape Arago is the name sake of our lost surveyor/geodesist, Dominique François Jean Arago. The turnaround at the end of Route 540 is a great place for viewing of seals, sea lions, and whales. Originally named Cape Gregory by Captain James Cook, the cape was renamed Cape Arago in 1850. The reason for the name change is unclear, but it ties this beautiful spot on the Oregon Coast to Francois’ home in Paris, France. The Cape Arago lighthouse was the second lighthouse in Oregon and was completed in 1866. In 1994, Arago’s work on the Paris Meridian was commemorated with 135 bronze medallions along the meridian inscribed with “ARAGO” in the center and “N” and “S” on the outer edge. The medallions stretch north to south from Montmartre to the Paris Observatory. If you’re ever visiting Paris, one of these medallions resides near the Louvre Pyramid. References • Wikipedia: François Arago; https://en.wikipedia. org/wiki/Fran%C3%A7ois_Arago • Institute of Physics: The adventures of Arago; https://spark.iop.org/adventures-arago • Atlas Obscura: Arago Medallions; https://www. atlasobscura.com/places/arago-medallions • OregonEncyclopedia.org: Cape Arago Lighthouse; https://www.oregonencyclopedia.org/articles/ cape-arago-lighthouse • Wikipedia: Fresnel Lens; https://en.wikipedia.org/ wiki/Fresnel_lens • Wikipedia: Paris Meridian; https://en.wikipedia. org/wiki/Paris_meridian#The_Arago_medallions Among his many contributions to science, Arago was an early astronomer and geodesist. continued Professional Land Surveyors of Oregon | www.plso.org The Lost Surveyor
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