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Fascinating History to Explore While Visiting Lincoln City, Oregon this Summer!

While there’s still a lodging lockdown in place until May 31, we look forward to the 1st of June when we are scheduled to reopen our beach vacation rentals. Lincoln City will be a perfect place to escape with meticulously cleaned and sanitized vacation rentals within a stone’s throw of vast, coastal spaces that go on for miles. Lincoln City, Oregon is known for its 7½ miles of beaches, as well as fun annual traditions such as Glass Floats on the Beach and the twice-yearly kite festivals. The city also has a rich history that you can look forward to exploring on your next visit, from its Native American history to its early European settlement days to its current position in the coastal arts and culture scene. Keep reading to learn more about Lincoln City’s fascinating history and find inspiration for your next visit.

Oregon Beaches Officially Open June 1st!
Honored guests we are overjoyed to announce our beachfront homes & condos are available to book.

Lincoln City’s Native American History

The Oregon Coast was originally home to many tribes that are now part of the 27-member Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians along with other Native American tribes and bands that once lived between Northern California and southwest Washington. When the Coast (Siletz) Reservation was established in 1855, it included part of modern-day Lincoln City. These 27 tribes spoke numerous languages, including the Clatsop dialect of Chinook, Coos, Shasta, Siuslaw, Takelma, Tillamook, and many others. Some of these names might be familiar if you live in the Pacific Northwest or have ever visited our Oregon beach house rentals. Lincoln City locals and visitors should also recognize the name of Siletz Bay.

The Communities Before Lincoln City’s Incorporation

Lincoln City did not exist until 1965 when the unincorporated communities of Delake, Oceanlake, and Taft joined with the nearby towns of Cutler City and Nelscott, all of which were nestled around Lincoln City’s current main street (Highway 101). Homesteaders began arriving in the area as early as the 1880s, though, and Taft (named after our 27th President, William H. Taft) established its post office in 1906. Delake was founded some years after and established its post office in 1924, only to be reestablished as Oceanlake Post Office in 1927. The odd-sounding name of Delake is meant to mimic local Finnish community members’ pronunciation of nearby Devil’s Lake. The former town of Nelscott also had a unique name, which was a combination of the founders’ surnames, Nelson and Scott. The Nelscott Reef is still famed as one of the best spots to surf along the Pacific Coast. Cutler City, which was located on the east shore of Siletz Bay, was the biggest established town in the area that later became Lincoln City. Mr. and Mrs. George Cutler of Dallas founded the community in the early 20th century, supposedly after Chief Charles “Charley” DePoe of the Siletz Tribe sold the property to George Cutler. The town established a post office in 1930 that served the community until Lincoln City was formed.

The Modern History of Lincoln City, Oregon

Each of these historic communities had its own annual events and local culture, and there was even some competition among them for tourists and trade. They all needed local services such as police and firefighters, though, and while it seemed to make sense to combine and pool these resources, many people did not want to give up their local post office and unique heritage. That’s why they needed to come up with a new, unifying name when the towns and communities did finally incorporate, rather than using any of the five existing names. They held a contest to choose one and school children submitted the name of Lincoln City. It seemed like the best choice when the city was incorporated on March 3, 1965.

History of Glass Floats on the Beach

You probably know about Glass Floats on the Beach if you’ve ever stayed in one of our vacation homes or beach condo rentals. Lincoln City has not only been a hotspot for beaches, but also for arts and crafts such as glassblowing, since the 20th century. When that century was drawing to a close, a local artist decided to use this medium to celebrate the coming millennium with a nod to the Oregon Coast’s past. Japanese fishing boats of bygone eras once used beautiful blue and green glass fishing floats that often washed up on the shores of the Oregon Coast, and visitors in those eras used to love hunting for the glass treasures that would wash ashore. Eventually, they were all found … until 1999, that is, when Lincoln City sponsored the Finders Keepers project where local artists produced stunning blown-glass floats that were “hidden” around the beach. It was so popular and attracted so many tourists that it became part of the city’s local traditions. The beaches will be a great reason to visit Lincoln City once they reopen, and we look forward to welcoming you to our beach house rentals! Until then, this area’s fascinating history is worth learning more about. It’s easy to see why so many people wanted to live in this beautiful part of the Central Oregon Coast.

Top Eight Hiking Trails in and Around Lincoln City, Oregon

The team at A1 Beach Rentals looks forward to welcoming you to our beach house rentals again once we’re on the other side of this. The truth is, we all need a few things to look forward to in the not-so-distant future. Hiking and beachcombing on the Oregon Coast are two great activities to look forward to because they are out in the open air where you can still socially distance while enjoying nature. Beaches and hiking trails throughout the Central Oregon Coast might be closed right now, but once they are reopened, we can all look forward to a long walk in a beautiful setting. In addition to the 7½ miles of pristine coastline (which is within walking distance from most of our beach condo rentals and vacation homes), there are also numerous hiking trails in and around Lincoln City, Oregon. Here are eight of the top hiking destinations in and around Lincoln City that are worth exploring once the trails reopen:

Dear Honored Guests –
We look forward to being on the other side of this and hosting you at our Oregon beach homes or condos!

1. Agnes Creek Open Space Loop. This moderately easy, 1.7-mile trail takes less than an hour to complete at a leisurely pace. The loop stretches through a serene forest setting and allows dogs as long as they are on a leash.

2. Alder Island Nature Trail. You can find this trail right within Lincoln City. The easy, 0.9-mile trail winds past Siletz Bay and can be completed in about 20 minutes plus the time it talks to walk from one of our beach vacation rentals. Oregon walkers of all ability levels can enjoy this trail.

3. Cutler Wetlands Open Space Loop. The Cuter Wetlands Open Space features an easy, breezy 0.6-mile trail that is great for bird-watching or just enjoying a quick walk through nature in a forest setting. The walk can be completed in approximately 15 minutes.

4. Devils Lake Boardwalk Trail. Mere minutes from downtown Lincoln City, you can find yourself in the Devil’s Lake State Recreation Area and/or Devil’s Lake State Park. The recreation area is where you’ll find the campgrounds with access to the lake for swimming, canoeing, kayaking, boating, and waterskiing. You can also take a lovely, 10-minute walk along the boardwalk with nature and water on either side of you. Just remember to watch out for the wildlife sharing this space with you!

5. Drift Creek Falls Trail. If you’re looking for a somewhat longer trail once the parks reopen, the Drift Creek Falls Trail in Siuslaw National Forest might be an ideal option for you. This 2.6-mile walk can be completed in about an hour and 20 minutes at a fairly leisurely pace. Just make sure to slow down enough to enjoy the beauty of this national forest!

6. God’s Thumb (via The Knoll). More experienced hikers may prefer the God’s Thumb trail, which is also located in Siuslaw National Forest with parking at Roads End State Recreation Site. The 4.4-mile, out-and-back walk is considered moderate in difficulty due to a steep climb at the end, but many people do take their children, and dogs are allowed on leashes. It is important to be cautious on this trail, as slips and falls have occurred in the past. 

7. Kirtsis Park Walk. This is a great trail if you’re looking for an easy, forest park walk that starts right at the edge of Lincoln City. The 1.6-mile, out-and-back walk takes you through a lush, green setting and is just long enough to feel like you’ve got a good bit of exercise in.

8. Spyglass Ridge Open Space. Another relatively easy but absolutely stunning walk near Lincoln City is the Spyglass Ridge Open Space. Most of the 1.3-mile trail takes you through a forested setting, but if you take your time and keep exploring, you will find yourself with a stunning view of the ocean. The walk can be completed in less than 45 minutes and dogs are allowed on leashes. Our beach house rentals will be waiting for you once all the parks and other facilities reopen. You can rest assured that you will find an exceedingly clean, sterile, cozy, and comfortable place to enjoy the Central Oregon Coast upon arrival. We look forward to welcoming you to our home-away-from-home in Lincoln City again soon!