Alexander R. McLeod led the first overland expeditions to Oregon's central and southern coast between 1826-27. McLeod, a Chief Trader for the Hudson's Bay Company at Fort Vancouver, sought furs and trading opportunities with tribes such as the Tillamook, Umpqua, Coos, and Coquille. Local tribes also provided information, canoes, and other assistance.
Central Coast
Historical Marker - Oregon Coast Indians
The main village of the Siuslaw Indian Tribe was situated west of this location near the mouth of the North Fork of the Suislaw River. A.R. McLeod, Hudson Bay Company fur trader, and a company of ten men led an exploring party into this valley in July, 1826. He and his party were the first White men to cross the river bar and camp in this area. McLeod bartered with the Suislaws for Beaver and otter furs.
Historical Marker - Scottsburg
Few Oregon communities have had a more colorful history than Scottsburg. It was named for Levi Scott, a pioneer of 1844, who homesteaded here and founded the town in 1850. There was a lower town at the head of tidewater on the Umpqua River which became the site of business houses and mills. A mile upstream was the upper town, the distributing and shipping point for the mining regions and communities of southern Oregon. As many as 500 pack animals could be seen loading here at one time.
Historical Marker - Spruce Soldiers
Aircraft proved their military worth during World War I -- initially for observation purposes, and later for the support of ground troops and bombing. When the United States entered the war in 1917, air supremacy was hotly contested and airplane production was vital to the war effort. Early airplanes were constructed of linen stretched over a wood framework.
Historical Marker - Sunset Highway
This highway is reverently dedicated to Oregon's sons. Members of the 41st division, both living and dead, who wore the Sunset emblem and offered their all in complete devotion to the cause of world peace.
Historical Marker - Tillamook Burn
Oregon's Historic Tillamook Forest Fire of 1933 spread over 240,000 acres of forest land, fires in 1939 and 1945 brought the total to 355,000 acres. Over 13 billion board feet of timber were killed.
Historical Marker - Tsunami - Newport
Devastating waves called “tsunamis” can strike the Oregon coast at any time. These waves are caused by great undersea earthquakes that occur along the Cascadia Subduction Zone, one of the largest active faults in North America.
Historical Marker - Tsunami - Reedsport
Devastating waves called “tsunamis” can strike the Oregon coast at any time. These waves are caused by great undersea earthquakes that occur along the Cascadia Subduction Zone, one of the largest active faults in North America.
Historical Marker - Tsunami - Seaside
Devastating waves called “tsunamis” can strike the Oregon coast at any time. These waves are caused by great undersea earthquakes that occur along the Cascadia Subduction Zone, one of the largest active faults in North America.
Historical Marker - Yaquina Bay
The old Yaquina Bay Lighthouse, established in 1871, is the earliest aid to navigation standing within the range of the first recorded landfall made from a ship to the shores of the Pacific Northwest. Captain James Cook made this landfall on March 7, 1778. At noon he named Cape Foulweather. On account of the heavy weather, he was compelled to stand out at sea at night and only approach the land in the afternoon so that he was unable to find any harbor along the Oregon Coast.