A Timeline based on Myrtle Point Beginnings Myrtle Point Beginnings written by Curt Beckham ©1985 Timeline created by Robyn Greenlund ©2006

The following is a Timeline constructed from the events and businesses present in the book

1849     Riverboat "Twin Sisters" built by William Rackleff in Scottsburg.  (p.20)     The "Ortolan" was a ship owned by William Rackleff. Sailed around Cape Horn.  (p.20)

1859     Baltimore Colony arrives in Coos County, lead by Dr. Henry Hermann.  (p.20, 51)

1872     Ott is the name of the first post office in Myrtle Point.  (p.2)

1873     Brethren Church started in John Barklow's house on North Fork of Coquille.  (p.35  - Dec. 3 1873)

1876     Hermann store was constructed by Hon. Binger Hermann.  (p.9)     Post Office name changed to Myrtle Point from Ott.  (p.2  - Dec. 29 1876)

1877     Myrtle Point-Roseburg Road widened by John Fox.  (p.21)

1879     Methodist Episcopal Church was organized.  (p.16)     Town of Myrtle Point platted.  (p.1)

1880     Cemetery originally located where Myrtle Point High School is today [se cor 4th and Harris].  (p.1  - abt 1880)     Myrtle Point Brass Band organized.  (p.41,51  - Nov. 1880)     Myrtle Point Hotel built. 3 story wooden structure - photo.  (p.15, 31-32)     Myrtle Point has 52 inhabitants per the census of 1880.  (p.Forward)

1887     City of Myrtle Point incorporated.  (p.Forward, 2  - Feb. 25 1887)

1888     Perkin's Drug Store started by N.G.W. Perkins.  (p.15)

1889     Board of Trade of Myrtle Point purchased the West Oregonian and installed Orvil Dodge as editor/publisher.  (p.2,17)     First newspaper, the West Oregonian, published in Myrtle Point by W.L. Dixon and Orvil Dodge.  (p.2  - Dec. 3 1889)

1890     Daniel Giles and Son Brickyard opens. Owned by Daniel and Sam Giles.  (p.15)     First Presbyterian Church in Coos County was organized at Myrtle Point.  (p.16  - abt 1890)     Myrtle Point School built of Daniel Giles and Sons bricks. Located on C and Maple streets where Maple Primary now stands.  (p.11)     Myrtle Point has 354 inhabitants per the census of 1890.  (p.Forward)     Roberts building built with bricks from Giles and Son. Grocery. Located on nw cor 6th and Spruce. [Built for John H. Roberts and his son L.A. Roberts]. Also called A.J. Black building.  (p.11)     Stage stops alone the Myrtle Point-Roseburg Road were at Endicott's farm, Bridge, Remote, Sheep Ranch (county line), Camas Valley, Olalla, Brockway and Roseburg.  (p.21  - abt 1890)     United Brethren Church was built.  (p.16)

1891     Coos Bay, Roseburg and Eastern Railroad and Navigation Company railroad organized.  (p.13)     Hermann Building constructed with Daniel Giles and Son bricks. 3 stories tall. Later used by the Safeway Ice Cream Processing Plant.  (p.11)     Lonaconing block building was named after the county in Maryland where the Baltimore colony resided.  (p.9)     Methodist Episcopal Church, South was built.  (p.16)     Presbyterian Church was built. [Was moved to its present location in 1900].  (p.16)     Riverboat business on the Coquille River started by Capt. Panter and his sons, Elmer and Sherman Hufford and Paris Ward abt 1891.  (p.20  - abt 1891)     The "Maria" was the first of the riverboats owned by Captain Panter over several decades on the Coquille River. Purchased in 1891.  (p.21)

1892     Fire started in the old Binger Hermann store. The two tallest buildings in town were dynamited to put out the fire.  (p.9  - Jul. 18 1892)     Hermann and Brown store located inside Hermann building.  (p.11)     Masonic Hall on third floor of Hermann building.  (p.11)     Post Office located in the Hermann building. Served 12 routes.  (p.11)     Wimer-Huling Hardware store opened.  (p.15  - spring 1892)

1893     Coos County Pioneer Association holds [3rd] reunion in Myrtle Point in conjunction with the first train coming to Myrtle Point.  (p.13  - Sep. 15 1893)     Dixon Grove was the site of the railroad celebrations when the first trains arrived at Myrtle Point station.  (p.14)     First train on the Coos Bay, Roseburg and Eastern Railroad arrives in Myrtle Point.  (p.2, 23  - Sep. 15 1893)     Libby brass band (community outside Marshfield [Coos Bay]) arrives on first train to Myrtle Point.  (p.23  - Sep. 15 1893)     Telephone lines completed between Myrtle Point and Coos Bay.  (p.15  - Aug. 12 1893)     Wells Fargo service came with the railroad in 1893.  (p.15)     Wimer-Huling Hardware changes name to Huling-Lundy Hardware.  (p.15  - abt 1893)

1894     Lamb & Lawrence purchase West Oregonian who consolidated it with the Coquille Paper.  (p.18  - abt 1894)     Overland Limited Stagecoach company started. Owned by Daniel Barklow.  (p.15)     Robert's Building renamed the A.H. Black building. Built in 1891-92.  (p.11)

1895     Name changed to Myrtle Point Enterprise.  (p.18)     The newspaper name changed from the West Oregonian to Myrtle Point Enterprise.  (p.18)

1896     Huling-Lundy Hardware store still in business.  (p.8)     Interior of Huling-Lundy Hardware Store. First telephone operator, Mrs. Toy, shown - photo.  (p.8)     Telephone switchboard located in the Huling-Lundy Hardware Store - photo.  (p.8)

1897     Erdice Cheese Factory opened.  (p.15)     Guerin Hotel established.  (p.15)     Masonic Lodge opens new cemetery [1.5 miles up Maple Street].  (p.1)     Myrtle Point has 600 inhabitants.  (p.2)

1898     Brethren Church built on 7th and Spruce in Myrtle Point.  (p.35)

1900     "Antelope" - One of the riverboats owned by Captain Panter over several decades on the Coquille River.  (p.20  - abt 1900)     "Ceres" - One of the riverboats owned by William E. Rackleff.  (p.19,20  - abt 1900)     "Coquille" - One of the riverboats owned by Captain Panter over several decades on the Coquille River.  (p.20  - abt 1900)     "Dora" - One of the riverboats owned by Captain Panter over several decades on the Coquille River.  (p.20  - abt 1900)     "Liberty" - One of the riverboats owned by Captain Panter over several decades on the Coquille River.  (p.20  - abt 1900)     "Little Annie" built by William E. Rackleff. Shown in front of Coquille City dock- photo.  (p.19, 54  - abt 1900)     "Myrtle" - One of the riverboats owned by Captain Panter over several decades on the Coquille River.  (p.20  - abt 1900)     "Telegraph" - One of the riverboats owned by Captain Panter over several decades on the Coquille River.  (p.20  - abt 1900)     "Venus" - One of the riverboats owned by Captain Panter over several decades on the Coquille River.  (p.20  - abt 1900)     Coquille City Dock with "Little Annie" steamboat in front - photo.  (p.54  - abt 1900)     Last of the riverboats owned by Captain Panter over several decades on the Coquille River.  (p.20  - abt 1900)     Lehnherr Park located between 1st and 2nd streets, Ash and Spruce. Named in honor of Christian Lehnherr [may also have been called Dixon Park].  (p.6  - abt 1900)     Norway Creamery with the steamer "Rita" docked at the dock about 1900-1901 - photo.  (p.60  - abt 1900)     Steamer "Rita" docked in front of the Norway Creamery in 1900-1901. Ran the upper Coquille River - photo.  (p.60  - abt 1900)     The "Mud Hen" was a double ended boat manned by two oarsmen at the area called Freedom, at the mouth of Beaver Slough. The Lowes had a hotel here.  (p.19  - abt 1900)

1901     Arago community served by the Sternwheel "Echo".  (p.46)     Bank of Myrtle Point was started in 1901 by J.R. Benson and W.F. Hendricks. Built with Daniel Giles and Son bricks. Had offices on 2nd floor.  (p.11, 38-39)     The "Echo" was one of the riverboats owned by Captain Panter over several decades on the Coquille River.  (p.20  - abt 1901)     The stearnwheeler "Echo" was built in 1901 by A.R. Ellingsen for J.W. McCloskey. Scrapped in 1911.  (p.38)

1903     Sternwheeler "Echo" on the Coquille River - photo.  (p.46  - abt 1903)

1905     Brewster Valley Road Camp photo with unidentified people shown - photo.  (p.36  - abt 1905)     Southern Pacific Train Depot in Myrtle Point - photo.  (p.14)

1906     Myrtle Point opens a 4 year high school.  (p.47)

1907     Fatal stage wreck in the upper reaches of the Middle Fork of the Coquille at Moore Hill, near Bear Creek camp.  (p.22  - Nov. 1907)     Stagecoach that ran away in a fatal stage wreck - photo.  (p.56  - Nov. 1907)

1909     Baseball game between Myrtle Point High School and Bandon High School.  (p.65  - Jan. 22 1909)

1910     City baseball teams in the area included Lee Valley, Norway, Gravelford, Myrtle Point and Bandon.  (p.63)     Community of Bridge formed its own High School.  (p.48  - abt 1910)     Guerin Hotel - photo.  (p.4  - abt 1910)     LDS Church was designed after the Mormon Tabernacle by Samuel Giles. Dedicated in 1910.  (p.29  - Jul. 31 1910)     Stage at Sugar Loaf Mountain on Myrtle Point to Roseburg Highway - photo.  (p.40  - abt 1910)     Steamer "Breakwater" brings steel pipe to Myrtle Point for water system.  (p.33)     Steel water pipes replace wooden pipes made by John Fox.  (p.33)     Streets in Myrtle Point are not paved yet but sidewalks and wood crosswalks are used - photo.  (p.30  - abt 1910)     Sugar Loaf Road Camp - photo with Isam Smith, Ed Weekly and Al Rice identified.  (p.42)

1911     Stock Show held at Dixon Grove in Myrtle Point. Fore-runner of the Coos and Curry County Association.  (p.59)

1912     Bank of Myrtle Point went from private ownership to shareholders bank.  (p.37)     First fair in Myrtle Point at the fair grounds.  (p.59)     Smith-Powers Logging Company starts construction of rail line to Powers. Later called the Coos Bay Company. Sold to the Georgia-Pacific Lumber Co.  (p.14)     View of Myrtle Point looking west from hill above Myrtle Point School - photo.  (p.28  - abt 1912)

1913     Bank of Myrtle Point located on nw cor 4th and Spruce. Later became the Myers & Myers Department Store.  (p.38-39  - aft 1913)     Bank of Myrtle Point robbed. Mr. Miller charged with crime.  (p.37  - Dec. 4 1913)     City of Myrtle Point decorated the city for the fair.  (p.59)     Flanagan-Bennett bank branch located in Myrtle Point. Was a branch of the Marshfield [Coos Bay] Bank.  (p.37)

1914     Guerin Hotel used as auto stage pickup point in Myrtle Point.  (p.24)     Steamer "Breakwater" brings new safe for Bank of Myrtle Point to Marshfield [Coos Bay]. From there by train to Myrtle Point.  (p.37)     The Baxter Hotel was the auto stage pickup point in Coquille.  (p.24)     Train to Myrtle Point brings 4200 pound safe to Bank of Myrtle Point.  (p.37)

1915     Arago formed its own High School.  (p.48  - abt 1915)     Coos and Curry Fair in Myrtle Point. Shows grandstand and a house on 4th street - photo.  (p.58  - abt 1915)     Myrtle Point Auto Stage on nw cor 5th and Maple - photo.  (p.52  - abt 1915)     Myrtle Point Baseball Team with Henry A. Schroeder as coach or owner - photo.  (p.64  - abt 1915)     Myrtle Point Livery & Feed Stable, nw cor 5th and Maple - photo.  (p.52  - abt 1915)     Powers railroad line from Myrtle Point to Powers completed. Started in 1912 by the Smith-Powers Logging Company.  (p.14  - May 1915)     Sternwheeler "Dispatch" on the Coquille River - photo.  (p.44  - abt 1915)

1916     Southern Pacific Railroad completes line from Eugene to Marshfield [Coos Bay]. Later Southern Pacific Company purchases the Coos Bay, Roseburg and Eastern Railroad.  (p.14)

1918     Mast Hospital opened in the spring of 1918 by Dr. Pemberton.  (p.45)

1919     Flanagan-Bennett Bank of Marshfield still has office in Myrtle Point.  (p.37, 39)     Security Bank organized by Russell C. Dement. Located on ne cor 5th and Spruce.  (p.39  - Jul. 29 1919)

1920     Airplane rides offered at Coos & Curry County Fair.  (p.25  - abt 1920)     Chandler Hotel in Coos Bay is the starting point of trip from Coos Bay to Guerin Hotel in Myrtle Point. Coos Bay - Myrtle Point road was not paved.  (p.53)     Coos Bay - Myrtle Point road is not paved yet.  (p.53)     Guerin Hotel in Myrtle Point end point of trip from Chandler Hotel to Myrtle Point.  (p.53)     Holt-Chase Cannery was incorporated 1920. A.C. Chase was manager. Still in business in 1926 when processes 17,000 cases of fruit and berries.  (p.55)

1921     Myrtle Point Women's club started a Library club in the club room of the Woodmen Lodge Hall. Combined with the Women's Christian Temperance Union-W.C.T.U.  (p.41)

1923     Myrtle Point School orchestra formed. Glen Neideigh was director.  (p.51)     Myrtle Point Union High School was petitioned by 16 school districts.  (p.48  - Mar. 1923)

1924     City Hall was completed. One room available for books for a library.  (p.41)     Coos County Fair holds first rodeo with bucking horses, bulls and mules.  (p.60)     Myrtle Point Union High School built.  (p.48)     Myrtle Point Union High School was approved. Site selected was the Dement property bordered by Harris and 4th Streets.  (p.48  - Feb. 18 1924)     Perkin's Drug Store orders $400 worth of books for new library.  (p.41)     Schneider Music store carried magazines.  (p.41)

1925     "The Ancient Highway" filmed a section of the movie at the Sugar Loaf splash dam on the Middle Fork of the Coquille River.  (p.57  - Jun. 1925)     Myrtle Point Union High School opens on sw cor 4th and Harris.  (p.49  - Oct. 30 1925)     Sugar Loaf Dam was opened and a Hollywood stuntman was killed trying to outrun it for the movie "the Ancient Highway". Dam was located five miles up the Middle Fork of the Coquille Ri.  (p.57)

1926     Mast-Wilson hospital remodeled. Old hospital moved back on property.  (p.45  - Nov. 24 1926)

1927     Four Square Church purchased LDS church.  (p.30  - Nov. 1927)     Myrtle Point played Bandon for the Coos County football championship.  (p.61-62  - Nov. 17 1927)

1928     The name of the newspaper changes from Myrtle Point Enterprise to Myrtle Point Herald.  (p.18  - Mar. 29 1928)

1930     Hamm's Cafe interior - photo.  (p.50  - abt 1930)     Hamm's Caf‚ was located on north side of Spruce between 5th and 6th. [Later Ms. Malia's Restaurant] - photo.  (p.10  - abt 1930)     Old 2 story wooden structure of first Security Bank was moved away and a concrete building was built in it's place.  (p.39  - abt 1930)

1933     Housed the Myrtle Point Gold Creamery. Owned by A.M. Sunstrup.  (p.31  - abt 1933)

1934     Coos County Fair Association is the new name for the Coos and Curry Fair Association.  (p.59)

1935     Myrtle Point Hotel razed.  (p.31)

1938     Dr. Mast modernized the Mast Hospital and doubled the space.  (p.45)

1940     Catholic church in Myrtle Point was dedicated. Father Daniel Kelly, priest.  (p.43)     Evan Products Mill peeled myrtlewood for veneer for Catholic Church.  (p.43)     Smith-Wood Products of Coquille formed plywood from myrtlewood veneer.  (p.43)

1947     The round LDS church was purchased by Legion Post No. 38 shortly after World War II. They installed a 10 foot ceiling inside the building [since removed].  (p.29,30  - abt 1947)

1949     Brethren Church bought old grade school on Railroad Avenue and remodeled it as a church.  (p.35)     Brethren Church moved to NE corner 8th & Ash (Highway 42). Later is Dee's Market and Lodge Hall.  (p.35  - aft 1949)     Old grade school located on Railroad Avenue.  (p.35  - bef 1949)

1954     Myrtle Point Library was occupied.  (p.41  - Oct. 1 1954)

1957     Fred True building combined into Security Bank building.  (p.39)     Security Bank remodeled in 1957 and expanded into Fred True building next door.  (p.39)

1960     McKinley elementary school joined with Coquille district.  (p.49  - bef 1960)     Remote elementary school joined with Bridge district.  (p.49  - bef 1960)     School District 41 formed. Myrtle Point Union High School merged with elementary schools in Arago, Bridge, Broadbent, Dora, Etelka [Gaylord], Myrtle Point and Sitkum.  (p.49)

1963     Loggers Shodeo added to the Coos County Fair.  (p.60)     Western Medical Care Foundation purchases Mast Hospital. Did extensive work to building.  (p.45)

1964     In 1964 new facelift given to outside of the Security Bank building [had vertical bars on second story - removed in 2005].  (p.39)

1970     Mast Hospital closed.  (p.45  - Feb. 1 1970)     Myrtle Point to Powers rail line was removed in the 1970's.  (p.14  - s 1970)

1983     Addition to Myrtle Point Library [on north side of building] started.  (p.42)

1985     Head office of Security Bank moved to Coos Bay.  (p.40)     Redway Hardware is the name of the former Huling-Lundy Hardware store.  (p.8)     The old Hermann building became the Safeway Ice Cream Processing Plant. The upper stories were removed a few years before 1987.  (p.11)

1986     Sempert's Drug store located on sw corner of 5th and Spruce. [Later moved to nw corner 8th (Highway 42) and Spruce].  (p.4  - bef 1986)

1987     Myers & Myers Department Store located on nw cor 4th and Spruce in Bank of Myrtle Point building [now a part of Hometown Hardware].  (p.38  - bef 1987)     Security Bank has branches in Coquille, Bunker Hill, North Bend, Bandon and Brookings.  (p.39  - bef 1987)

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Last updated 3/ 28/ 2006
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