Bayocean: The Oregon Town That Fell Into the Sea

by Bert Webber, Margie Webber, Webber Research Group

This documentary shows the erosion that took place in Bayocean, Oregon with dozens of historic and current photographs, maps, unique cartoons, bibliography, index. The book also Salishan, Nestucca, Cape Lookout State Park, Newport and Jump-Off Joe, the Southern Oregon Coast, Washington's "wash-away" beach, the total destruction of Cape Showalter, and other places.

Genres: American History, History

206 pages, Paperback

First published March 1, 1999

Reviews

[Judy Egnew Ness · Rating 4 out of 5]

We recently spent a weekend at the beach on Netarts Bay with our son and his family. On our way to and from Tillamook we kept passing "Bayocean Drive." I'm always interested in Pacific Northwest history and thought I remembered hearing about a big resort community there that had disappeared. So I looked online and discovered the story of this once elegant beachside resort, which promoters advertised in the early 1900s as the "Atlantic City" of the Pacific coast. But they hadn't even completed the buildings and paving before they started having trouble with the ocean washing away the large sand spit on which it was built. They thought a new jetty might protect the dunes, but it actually made things worse. In just a few short years the entire community was gone, as winter waves and currents undercut and destroyed the dunes. I read a hardback version of this book, published in 1989. It covers the history of the Bayocean resort, attempts to save it, and some similar concerns with other coastal communities. The authors have returned at intervals for many years to measure and document changes along the Oregon coast. The lesson should be clear: No matter how much money is invested, you can't keep the ocean away from the beach!

[Brian Ratty · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mother Nature Always wins. This is a well-researched book about a fascinating seaside town that battled Mother Nature. Needless to say, the town lost! This is a good read! Author Jerry Sutherland did a marvelous job telling his story.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read in Lincoln City while on a beach writing retreat. Spoiler alert: don’t build on sand dunes!

[Shawna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fascinating history of Oregon which rocked my socks off.