southtillamookcounty.com
History
"Short History of the Little Nestucca River Valley and Its Early Pioneers" written about South Tillamook County, Oregon
The page below was written by Mrs. Hardy Rock (Alexandria LEY Rock) and published in 1949. NVMS students have retyped her history so that many may read it. Although some punctuation errors have been corrected the text remains as written by Mrs. Rock.
Note that Alexandria LEY Rock's "Short History of the Little Nestucca River Valley and Its Early Pioneers" has been republished in book form as of January 2007 and is now being offered for sale by the Tillamook County Historical Society!
(This page was typed by NVMS 7th grader, Amanda S., during the spring of 2002 and edited by Dean Bones.)
Mr. Henry Page and his wife, Sarah Page, homesteaded the site of Neskowin Resort. They lived with their eight daughters and two adopted sons in a small house on the beach. This home becoming endangered by high tides, they built a new home which is now Neskowin Hotel. To do so, they blasted out the rocky promontory to make room for the dwelling. The first road passed on low ground and sand where the camping ground is at present. Campers began flocking there with tents, wagons and teams.
The development of a resort was conceived by Rollie W. Watson of Tillamook City who was in the real estate and insurance business. Watson interested James Walton of the 1st National Bank of Tillamook, who undertook the financing of the project. Page had sold to Bosler who sold to Stalford, and Walton acquired the property in 1908.
When James Walton discontinued management of the bank in 1912, his brother, Willam S. Walton of Salem, took over. From then on, there was rapid improvement and development.
Extremely high tides flooded the low road, compelling the opening of a new road on high ground which was accomplished by blasting out more of the rocky promotory behind the house in 1925. At that time, the building was remodeled and improved to be a hotel. A water system had been established in 1924. In 1927, to accommodate the public, a large community kitchen was built where the first road had been. During what we settlers termed a tidal wave, January 3, 1939, this kitchen was demolished by large logs and drift ramming the structure, thrown against it by the force of the ocean swells. It was replaced by a later and better kitchen which is still in use. It has dining room facilities with a veral oil cook stove and laundry equipment. Electricity was brought into use at the resort in 1929.
Before Walton acquired the property, a store building had been built and conducted by Jim Myer who also ran a pool hall, dance hall and bowling alley. All but the store was closed when Walton took charge and none are allowed at the resort. Ray Wan, Ernest Edmund, and Luella Sutton have operated the store at different times. Carl and Reba White had a service station for a number of years. At the present time, this resort is a popular one and has grown into a large community. A post office has served the public from its first conception because Mrs. Sarah Page was Postmaster long before the resort came into existence. Mrs. Ruth Sutton Carver, widow of Loys Carver, is the Postmaster and has the office adjoining the store.
Many beautiful modern cottages and houses have been erected, streets named, and a large modern beautiful golf course is part of the resort.
Continue to page 14 of "Short History of the Little Nestucca River Valley and Its Early Pioneers!"