Extension on the South Coast

Eggs, Roseburg, Douglas County, circa 1925

Eggs, Roseburg, Douglas County, circa 1925

As any Oregonian will tell you, around here we don’t go to the “beach” — we go to the “coast.” But in the interest of avoiding jargon, I’ll say that this week, we’re heading to the surf for a Flickr Commons set with Extension photos from Coos, Curry, and Douglas counties! And no, not a wave in sight…

Nutrition demonstration for mothers and infants, circa 1945

Nutrition demonstration for mothers and infants, circa 1945

This is a wonderful description of Coos County, from the Oregon Historical County Records Guide, “Coos County is situated in the southwestern part of Oregon. It is bounded by Douglas County on the north and east, by Curry County on the south, and the Pacific Ocean on the west.” Given its location on the edge of the ocean, there are several port districts in the county, including the Port of Coos Bay (1909), the Port of Coquille River (1912), and the Port of Bandon (1913). “Coos Bay is considered the best natural harbor between San Francisco Bay and the Puget Sound (Oregon Historical County Records Guide). Although the area between Coos Bay, Jacksonville, and Roseburg is quite mountainous county, “it has considerable areas suitable for agriculture and dairy farming,” but timber and fishing have been the foundation of the county’s economy – and not surprisingly “the area also has produced large quantities of shellfish” (Oregon Historical County Records Guide). The diverse programs and support offered through the Coos County Extension Officereflect the land and economies.

Arnold Ebert of KOAC interviewing a cow, 1950

Arnold Ebert of KOAC interviewing a cow, 1950

Another coastal county, Curry is at the very bottom of our great big state! TheOregon Historical County Records Guide, informs us that “initially it was proposed that the new county be name after Captain William Tichenor, council member from Port Orford. However, he declined because his constituents wanted to honor the territorial governor, George Law Curry.” In addition to the expected “water-based” economy, Curry County is also known for “blueberries, horticultural nursery stock, and ninety percent of all Easter lilies raised in the United States” (Oregon Historical County Records Guide). And that’s not all! Gold Beach isn’t just in honor of the sparkling sands; “in 1852 explorers discovered gold and other precious metals in the rivers and along the beaches of this area” (Oregon Historical County Records Guide). Serving Curry County since 1930, the Extension Office is rich with 4-H resources, info about agriculture & livestock, programs for home economics and forestry, as well as robust Sea Grant Marine Science, Family Food Education, and Master Gardener programs (Curry County Extension Office).

Douglas County Fat Lamb Show, ca. 1934

Douglas County Fat Lamb Show, ca. 1934

“The entire watershed of the Umpqua River lies within the boundaries of Douglas County,” and the county is known for being “heavily timbered” with “nearly 1.8 million acres of commercial forest lands and one of the oldest stands of old growth timber in the world” (Oregon Historical County Records Guide) . But people in the county also maintain field crops, orchards, and livestock, an economy reflected in the (Douglas County Extension Office outreach and education efforts.

Arriving at a community meeting, 1923

Arriving at a community meeting, 1923

According to the Oregon Historical County Records Guide, “the early history of Douglas County was closely tied to that of Umpqua County,” with Umpqua being created in 1851 quickly reached population requirements for a new, it split in two – with the new one being Douglas. The county was named for U. S. Senator Stephen A. Douglas of Illinois, known as an advocate for Oregon statehood. However, like many counties in Oregon, the history of the place is more complicated than establishing a county seat and naming the area. The Umpqua Indians of the Umpqua Valley were living on the land slated for “settlement,” and although most tribal members were moved by the government to the Siletz and Grande Ronde Indian Reservations following the Rogue River Indian War in 1856, some escaped and now form the Cow Creek Band of Umpqua Tribe of Indians (see Douglas County Historical Records Guide and Cow Creek Band of Umpqua Tribe of Indians “Cow Creek Story” site).

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