COOS COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY • SPRING 2018 • WWW.COOSHISTORY.ORG The Bridges of Charleston By Cory Smith Asa’s bayside The first denizens of Charleston property to form lived in relative isolation from the a new town which mainland surrounding Empire City he named North and, later, Yarrow on the eastern side Bend. In 1905 of the north bend of the bay. Travel he discovered throughout the region in those days the spectacular was, of course, via water and rough terrain and vistas overland trails. The native people on Cape Arago had developed a transportation and purchased system from the North Spit to the 320 acres for Hollering Place on the mainland a home site. where Empire City now sits. Aside Construction of a Charleston Bridge, 1909 from a few plank bridges along South formidable manse Photo courtesy of Oregon Department of Transportation Slough, most traffic, especially cargo was completed in such as building materials, reached 1907. According Charleston from Marshfield on boats to the recollections or barges. People used rowboats of the granddaughter of the pioneer and I.R. Tower in their autos have and large canoes, which could carry lighthouse worker, in 1909 a group returned. With the bridge over South several passengers, to get around. of residents of the Coos Bay region Slough finished, they found that it A local resident related that petitioned the county court to build requires just about an hour to make her mother and grandparents came a bridge across the slough to replace the trip from the city to Sunset Bay. out from Maine in 1888 and her the ferry that ran there. It is likely Formerly, with a vehicle and crossing grandfather worked at the Cape that Louis Simpson was one of the on the ferry it was half a day’s work Arago lighthouse. She recalled that more vociferous proponentsCoos Bay of aTimes to reach there. The bridge and auto around 1900 a hand-operated ferry bridge. An article in the July 25, 1910 make a combination which brings the began running roughly where the evening edition of the attractive resort within easy reach of bridge now stands. Fares were $1.50 reported: the city. for a team and wagon, $1.00 for a The new bridge over South Slough The first bridge was a simple horse and rider, and 50 cents for a has been finished and L. J. Simpson manually operated wooden foot passenger. In those days the was the first man to cross over the drawbridge, but it greatly improved South Slough contained small rural new span with a vehicle. The bridge Charleston’s connection with the homesteads and a few scattered cost about $11,000 and its completion other communities around the bay. businesses, with most at the north opens up the roads to the lighthouse, Businesses began to spring up to end where Charleston had begun to to Sunset Bay and to Bandon. The serve the growing community and develop. In the early years of the drives on that side of South Slough encourage visitors. In 1913 L. J. Bob 20th century Charleston and the will hereafter be popular.Coos Bay Times WymanSimpson opened a resort at Sunset surrounding beaches were popular The effect was immediate, for this Bay. A couple of years after that spots for weekend and holiday itemClaude appeared Nasburg in the I.R. Tower Jack opened a seafood restaurant recreation. Such excursions were Flanaganon July 28, 1910: at the west end of the bridge. Buses all-day affairs. Transportation Alert , , could now carry passengers from was provided by riverboats out of and Dr. Hayden have been North Bend and MarshfieldJ.D. Stewart all the Marshfield. The stern wheeler camping for a few days at the beach. way out to Sunset Bay. A grocery ran on Sundays, bringing families with They made the trip in automobiles, store operated by picnic baskets to the small port at taking advantage of the new bridge opened sometime before 1920. In Charleston forLouis sightseeing J. Simpson and playing over South Slough to reach the the early 1920s the Charleston Bay on the beaches attractive places below that point. Company began buying up property In 1903 And on July 29th: and subdividing it (continuedinto building on pagelots. 4) acquired the town called Yarrow and The party of campers who went Prior to that there was no building Springmerged 2018 it with some of his father to the beach with Claude Nasburg 1 President’s Message Bill Mast Patriot Nationshad the opportunity to represent the have decided in grade school to be a Greetings to all Board at the opening of the construction engineer and had family CCHS members! exhibit, which celebrates the support for the schooling to support As I write this in contributions of Native Americans that goal. Starting and building mid-March, winter to the United States Military. Over a successful marine construction is still hanging 100 people attended a very moving company was fun and rewarding and on. I hope weather conditions have opening ceremony. The exhibit is I have a sense to share the gains with improved by the time you read your displayed on the upper level of the others who did not have the support newsletter. MuseumAnne and Guerin is well worth your time I did. My mother was an Oregon It’s beenSteve an Greif eventful new year to view. history buff and loved restoring for the Museum. I was privileged and I are still historical houses and I guess some of to have invite me to working on this year’s CCHS tour. it rubbed off on me.” I’m sure many speak at one of his Wednesday night We’ll be taking in the Coos River area of you have similar stories. history classes. Steve spent the first on a tour tentatively scheduled for I wish everyone a happy spring. half of the class giving an interesting July 14th. You’ll hear from me again in a few lecture on early-day agriculture in I’m changing my tactics for myAl months. It will be my final column Coos County. I spent the remainder Powersquarterly appeal for donations. We’ve as president of the CCHS Board, of the evening talking about the asked one of our major donors, and you’ll get to hear from a new history of the Mast family and our , to describe what motivates president in the future. involvement in agriculture, along him to give generously of his time with some history of Lee Valley. I also and money. “I have been fortunate to Coos County We Welcome New Employee, Joni Eades Historical Society By Anne Guerin Staff Joni Eades Marketing Director. Prior , our new to that, she worked in both Executive Director: Susan Tissot Rentals and Marketing radio and newspaper, as a Collections Manager: Debra Semrau Coordinator, brings nearly sales representative and Education Coordinator: Amy Pollicino two decades of sales and promotion/marketing Volunteer Coordinator and Store marketing experience to director. Buyer: Valerie Caskey her position. Joni and her Joni is enjoying getting Rentals and Marketing husband Chris, who works to know her co-workers, the Coordinator: Joni Eades Visitor Services Assistant.: Becca Hill in the timber industry, volunteers, and the patrons Board of Trustees relocated to the Coos Bay of the CHM, and she is busy Bookkeeper: Terri Knight area two years ago. Formerly, Joni filling the calendar with upcoming was an active board member with rental events. She commented, “I am President: Bill Mast the Port Angeles Regional Chamber eager to learn about the history of Vice-President: Carol Ventgen of Commerce where her efforts were Coos County, and I can’t think of a Secretary: Anne Guerin focused on marketing and tourism better way to do that than by working Treasurer: Norm Herning campaigns for the area. In addition to at the Coos History Museum. I enjoy Trustees: Toni Ann Brend, Steve Greif, owning her own marketing business, working with people, event planning, Ryan Hogan, Jan Hooper, Joni worked with the Lower Elwha and marketing – so this is truly the Suzie McDaniel, Xandra McKeown, Klallam Tribe as their casino’s perfectTickets job for sold me!” out for the Women’s Kristi Pennington, Arlene Roblan, Museum Admission History Month Luncheon held on Carl Siminow, Joe Slack March 12, when guest speaker LaRee Johnson, author of Ladies Vintage Open Tuesday thru Sunday, 10–5 Accessories, presented a talk entitled Adults = $7, Children 5-17 = $3 “History, Hankies, and her Accessories.” Family Rate (household) = $17 Along with enjoying many samples of AARP, AAA, and senior discounts hand-stitched accessories through the Free admission to CCHS members, ages, the group heard music by local NARM program members, and crooner and North Bend High School active-duty military. choir member, Shaymus Hamlin. 541.756.6320, www.cooshistory.org Photo by Anne Guerin 2 Spring 2018 Executive Director’s Note Susan Tissot Not Invisible “Coasties” make. In addition to our exhibit, which features active duty personnel, there are over 20 ORNational female Coast veterans Guard and Ar their Spring has sprung 8,000 veterans living in Coos County. stories. July 12 – Sept 16 we host and your museum We decided we needed to alsoCoquille reach the t exhibit is off to a roaring Tribalout to our Community veterans. WithFund generousthe Mr. featuring 15 paintings of US Coast start with a new &financial Mrs Michael support L from Keiser the Foundation Guard activitiesVet Ink: and Military the community Inspired changing exhibit and Tattoos,service work they do. In the fall program. During 2018 and a portion . , we open of 2019, we will honor and share the we are waiving museum admission our own in-house created stories of veterans through a series fees for veterans and their spouses exhibit that will feature local veterans of four unique exhibits and a special through Dec.