Things to do / Travel Guide
Native American History of the Oregon Coast
The Tillamook were one of several American Indian tribes to populate the Oregon Coast prior to European arrival. They thrived in this area of rich natural resources, until the arrival of the first white settlers, who over fished the rivers, cut down forests and polluted their native habitats. Into the 20th century, the native Americans of the Oregon Coast maintained some of their traditions on the Oregon Coast reservation.
European Settlement of the Oregon Coast
For much of the 18th century, Spanish and British explorers sailed up and down the coast (usually on the way to somewhere else), unsuccessful at claiming the Oregon Coast for their country. Success came at the hands of Lewis and Clark, for the Americans. They reached the Oregon Coast by a cross-country expedition starting thousands of miles east, near St. Louis. That opened up the Oregon Coast to fishing and trapping. It is not a coincidence that there exists an Astoria in Queens, New York and an Astoria on the coast of Oregon - Manhattan fur trader and real estate tycoon, John Jacob Astor financed these initial efforts.
The opening of the Oregon trail brought pioneers to Oregon and the development of railroads built through the coastal range brought tourism to the Oregon Coast. The government of Oregon set up a string of state parks and public beaches along the length of the Oregon coast for the benefit of locals and tourists, alike.
Historical Attractions in Oregon Coast from Astoria to Coos Bay to Gold Beach
History
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