State of Oregon - Coos County

Coos County. Bounded north and east by Douglas, south by Curry, and west by Curry and the Pacific Ocean. Area, 3,000 square miles. Assessed valuation of property for 1874, $600,000. Population 2,000.

County seat, Empire City. Principal towns, Eastport, Coquille, Marshfield, Newport, North Bend, Randolph and Sumner. The county is quite mountainous, having the Umpqua Range on the eastern border, separating it from the Valley of the Umpqua.

The climate of the coast is unpleasant during the summer, being subject to cold northwest winds, but in the sheltered valleys of the interior is very pleasant the entire year. Coos and Coquille rivers flow from the Umpqua Mountains into the ocean, upon which are very fertile but not extensive tracts of farming land. The former stream enters Coos Bay, a broad estuary reaching some twenty miles inland, and forming a good harbor, with a safe entrance, in fair weather.

The mouth of the Coquille also affords a safe harbor for small vessels, but requires improvement. The construction of a railroad from Roseburg in the Umpqua Valley to Coos Bay or the mouth of the Coquille, is agitated and would be a great assistance in developing the interior and drawing attention to this promising region.

One of the great resources of this section is its fine lumber. About Coos Bay is the northern limit of the redwood and of the red and white cedar, known as Port Orford Cedar, and regarded as among the best ship-building material known. Several vessels have already been built at the bay, and it is proven that ship-building can be done here at as low rates per ton as in the eastern yards.

The coal mines of Coos Bay have assumed great importance in the last few years. A number of mines have been opened and a large trade is established between them and San Francisco, employing several steamers built for the purpose, and numerous sailing vessels. Gold, iron, and copper are also found, and the first is mined to some extent.

Officers: J. H. Nasler, County Judge; W. H. Jackson, Clerk, Recorder, and Auditor; ____ _____, District Attorney; Joseph Ferry, Sheriff; I. Morse, Jr., Treasurer; R. Isaacs, Tax Collector; James O. Shinn, Assessor; S. B. Cathcart, Surveyor; J. H. Schroeder. Superintendent Public Schools.

Pacific Coast Business Directory | Oregon Territory Index

Oregon Directory and Gazetteer

Source: Pacific Coast Business Directory for 1876-78, Compiled by Henry G. Langley, San Francisco, 1875.