The upstairs gallery focuses on tourism, celebrating the age of the automobile with information on the first cars and roads to the area. The gallery’s timeline begins with the completion of the Salmon River and Coast Highways in the late 1920s and extends through 1965 when many of the small towns incorporated as Lincoln City. The history of each town along what was known as the Twenty Miracle Miles is included in a panel display, along with roadside attractions, early tourism promotions like the notorious “Redhead Roundup”, and one-of- a-kind businesses like the Pixie Kitchen and Pixieland.
The Mildred and Maries Children’s Corner is all “hand-on”, with puppets, books and games to keep younger children entertained while their parents tour the museum.
The downstairs exhibit gallery examines the history of North Lincoln County through township development in the mid 1920s. Beginning with information about the prehistory of the central Oregon coast including fossils and other early artifacts, this gallery includes Native American history with examples of baskets and beadwork; early settlement and homesteading displays that show early tools and household items; and dairy, fishing, and cannery displays with artifacts from those industries. Large photos of people and places included throughout the exhibit bring to life the fascinating history of north Lincoln County told with excerpts taken from oral history interviews.
Siletz Bay Trading Company, 1925, with owner Fred C. Robison and Portland stage driver.
A new and popular exhibit titled: Taking Care of Business, Early Ventures in Lincoln City, opened on March 30th in the museum’s upstairs gallery. The exhibit highlights businesses that have had an impact on the development and character of Lincoln City.
Featured are long-lived businesses that have come to define our city because of their unique character and spirit of the people who have established and run them. Photos and artifacts illustrate the history of businesses like the Crab Pot and Delake Bowl that have been Lincoln City landmarks for decades. The Bijou, The Bay House, Ester Lee Motel, Surftides, The Dorchester House, and Snug Harbor are also included. Although Pacific View Mortuary, now The Eventuary, and the Nelscott Cash Store have transitioned from their original purpose to more current uses, the history of the buildings they occupy is illustrated in this exhibit.
