We're all connected by a love for the Oregon Coast!

 

Lincoln County Leader, August 12. 1021: 

"Anyone would be proud to live at Yachats, of the scenery, the fishing, crabs, clams, etc. nothing more need be said, as they have been eulogized many times."

 

This quore is part of a larger story, "An Outsiders Look at Lincoln County."  The story is lengthy and draws attention to Yachats, in particular, and Lincoln Count,  in general.  

 

Two problems were noted of the Yachats area.  The first is accessibility and the second is the lack of cultivated land.  Lincoln County farm land in 1920, per acre, was valued below all other counties of Western Oregon.

 

It said that Lincoln County needed more settlers and to put more land under cultivation.  The article said that the solution to the problem was goats.  Lincoln County had a brush problem and they thought that goats could begin the clearing process.  However, the goats in Lincoln County had problems with varmints.  Bear harassed or injured over 1000 goats that year.  Stomach worms killed even more goats.  (No mention was made of mountain lions and coyotes!)

 

Another possible solution was to hire a government hunter.  "Why not start a move to clean out the varmints just as tuberculosis is being eradicated from cattle?"

 

The Yachats Community Farm Bureau heavily promoted Yachats and Lincoln County farming through community events.  Picnics were at the top of the list featuring lots of seafood.  Bands and local school girls performed folk dances for entertainment.

 

People were still filing for homesteads with the Department of the Interior throughout 1921.

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Another big story was the dangerous sinter storm that struck western Oregon in November, 1921.  Snow, wind, and rain knocked out 13 bridges, including two in Yachats.  

 

Elk City suffered great damage from flooding, which removed homes from their foundation and wrecked businesses.

 

Willamette Valley had a silver thaw, interrupting train travel and making roads impassable.  The county became isolated from each other and slides and flooding blocked access from the rest of the state.

 

Real-picture postcards show the history of the Oregon coast.

Contact Mary to buy copies of either book.

Contacts

Mary@Webster.org

BruceWalker@peak.org