The history of the Oregon coast is a story about the interplay between a rugged landscape and human actions. Its history since European American settlement has in many ways paralleled the history of the Pacific Northwest as a whole, but the coast’s isolating topography, the early and lasting imprint of the federal government, persistent Indian-white conflicts, and complicated cultural attitudes make the coast’s story unique.
The Natural Setting:
The Oregon coast is a sliver of land between the mountains and the sea, a land of mild temperatures, lush vegetation, and abundant terrestrial and sea life.
Natural History and Human Actions:
As the Pacific Northwest lagged behind the rest of the United States in economic development, so the coastal strip lagged behind the rest of the region.
