Near Manzanita in Tillamook County, Oregon — The American West (Northwest)
Uncanny Neahkahnie
Place of Mystery And Romance
Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, September 22, 2017
1. Uncanny Neahkahnie Marker
Captions: (bottom left) Local man holding a large chunk of beeswax, 1955.; (bottom right) The wreck brought European materials to the local native People. Some of the more than 1,500 shards of porcelain found so far had been made into tools and spear points.
Neahkahnie Mountain has been the subject of stories and legends for hundred of years. From Spanish galleons to buried treasure, the Mountain resonates with mystery and romance. How many of these stories are true? What do you think? The Beeswax Wreck
Early in the 1800's, local native People brought beeswax to Astoria to trade. There were no honeybees here then - so were did the beeswax come from? They said it came from a big ship that had washed up on Nehalem Spit.
People have continued to find beeswax here, along with teak ship timbers and Chinese porcelain. Today, archaeologists say the ship was a Spanish galleon, one of hundreds that brought exotic goods from the Philippines to Mexico in exchange for New World silver between 1565 and 1815.
Beeswax was especially valuable because candles were an important light source. Scientists theorize that a tsunami in 1700 may have scattered the wax and possibly the wreck, as well.
Still-Hidden Treasure
The local native People told another story: There's a pirate treasure trunk buried on the Mountain! The spot is marked with an inscribed rock
this page online
Treasure hunters have searched the Mountain, finding stones with markings, like this one (top center) - but no treasure. Theories and tale still abound. The State Land Board called a halt to treasure hunting in 1989.
Mysterious Shipwreck
On a clear, calm, sunny day in October of 1913, the Glenesslin sailed onto the rocks of Neahkahnie Mountain and eventually sank. Did the ship get caught in a current or a wind pattern? Or did the captain sail into the Mountain on purpose? Nobody knows.
Erected by Oregon Department of Transportation.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Waterways & Vessels.
Location. 45° 44.603′ N, 123° 57.485′ W. Marker is near Manzanita, Oregon, in Tillamook County. Marker is on Oregon Coast Highway (Route 101) near Meadow Loop, on the left when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Manzanita OR 97130, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. The First People (here, next to this marker); From Footpath to Highway (a few steps from this marker); Safety and Beauty (within shouting distance of this marker); Oswald West (about 800 feet away, measured in a direct line); Neahkahnie Mountain
Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, September 22, 2017
2. Uncanny Neahkahnie Marker
Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, September 22, 2017
3. Uncanny Neahkahnie Marker
Neahkahnie Beach in the background
Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, September 22, 2017
4. Neahkahnie Beach from the viewpoint
Credits. This page was last revised on February 5, 2018. It was originally submitted on February 4, 2018, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 273 times since then and 34 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on February 4, 2018, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.
