Coos Bay in Coos County, Oregon — The American West (Northwest)
The Changing Waterfront
(left panel)
Fire
On July 23, 1922 a fire destroyed more than twenty-five buildings on Front Street, including city hall.
Many of the businesses rebuilt a few blocks to the west, moving the heart of downtown Marshfield.
The fire was one of several reasons for changes to the Marshfield waterfront from the mid-1920s to the 1950s.
The waterfront also changed with the building of roads and decreased water transportation. Coal bunkers and some shipyards closed, while new mills opened, and several existing mills changed owners.
Changes also took place as travel by land became easier. Better roads, the arrival of motor vehicles, and an increase in rail traffic led to construction of new commercial buildings away from the waterfront.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Disasters • Industry & Commerce • Notable Places • Roads & Vehicles. A significant historical date for this entry is July 23, 1922.
Location. 43° 22.049′ N, 124° 12.727′ W. Marker is in Coos Bay, Oregon, in Coos County. Marker is on Oregon Coast Highway (U.S. 101) north of Anderson Avenue, on the right when traveling north. Marker is located in an interpretive kiosk along the Coos Bay Board Walk. This marker is the left panel of a set of three related markers. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Coos Bay OR 97420, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. A different marker also named The Changing Waterfront (here, next to this marker); a different marker also named The Changing Waterfront (here, next to this marker); Transportation (here, next to this marker); a different marker also named Transportation (here, next to this marker); a different marker also named Transportation (a few steps from this marker); Welcome to the Oregon Coast (within shouting distance of this marker); Shipping (within shouting distance of this marker); Koos No. 2 (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Coos Bay.
Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. Coos Bay Waterfront History
Also see . . .
1. Coos Bay - 19th Century History.
There has been a permanent settlement on Coos Bay since 1853, when the town of Marshfield was founded there and named after the Massachusetts hometown of its founder, J. C. Tolman. By 1866 the inhabitants, who were reliant on the sea for their income, had built the Cape Arago Light. The setting up of a post office in 1871 and the arrival of the Coos Bay Wagon Road in the town a year later connected Coos County with the Umpqua River valley in neighboring Douglas County, on the other side of the Coast Range of mountains. (Submitted on February 17, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)
2. Marshfield (Coos Bay), Oregon.
This link contains many early 19th century Marshfield (Coos Bay) photographs (Submitted on February 17, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)
Credits. This page was last revised on February 18, 2018. It was originally submitted on February 17, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 375 times since then and 39 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on February 17, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.