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Historic Sites
The historic Yachats 804 Trail North begins from the
parking lot of Smelt Sands State Wayside. This trail originally served as a footpath for Native Americans, but it later became part of
County Road 804, which included the 6-mile stretch of beach between Yachats and Waldport at low tide. County Road 804 was the pioneer's route of
travel between the farmland of the upper Yachats River valley and Waldport's Alsea Bay until the 1930s and the completion of Hwy 101. The highway
replaced much of the county road, allowing the 804 N to resume its ancient use as a footpath to the beach. Then in the 1970s, a long
legal battle ensued to have the trail vacated. Oregon's high court finally ended the argument with its ruling in the mid-1980s that the 804 Trail
N must be continued. This section of trail subsequently became part of Oregon State Parks. A second legal battle erupted over the coastal
804 Trail South. This was finally resolved in the late 1990s through mediation with local home owners. The footpath has since been extended
southward from Smelt Sands State Wayside, winding its way through neighborhoods to the north side of the Yachats River and downtown Yachats.
Between Memorial Day and Labor Day, you may attend a guided walk at Smelt Sands to learn about the trail's history and find native plants - watch
for the State Park's Roving Interpreter who leads these walks Wednesdays through Sundays. Smelt Sands State Wayside is located one mile north of
downtown on Hwy 101. The trail is wheelchair accessible.
The Little Log Church Museum at the corner of W 3rd and Pontiac streets, was
built in the late 1920s by community volunteers using local timber hauled down the
Yachats River. It was completed and dedicated in 1930. The church and property was sold
to the Oregon Historical Society in 1969 when the congregation out grew this site. It became
a museum in 1970 and was deeded to the city in 1986. The Little Log Church Museum houses
settler exhibits, an extensive shell collection, and works by local artists and authors.
It is staffed by volunteers and open to visitors daily from Noon to 3 p.m. - closed Thursdays.
Click here for Museum Exhibits information.
From town, enjoy a 9-mile scenic drive up the Yachats River Road to
visit the historic North Fork of the Yachats River
Covered Bridge. Seven miles up Yachats River Rd., you will cross a small cement bridge - turn left here onto the N Fork Yachats
River Rd - a well-maintained gravel road - for the final two miles. (Street cars are fine, but the road will not accommodate RVs).
Park in the small turn-out before the bridge and walk across. The N Fork Yachats Covered Bridge was built in 1938 with a Queenpost truss,
one of the few of this type remaining in Oregon. It was faithfully restored in 1989. Look up at the hillside above the bridge for a view of
a giant old-growth Hemlock tree. If you make this trip in the early morning or evening, watch for elk grazing in pasture land shared by
belted cattle, affectionately referred to by children here as the oreo cows for the creamy white stripe around their mid-sections.
Turn east off Hwy 101 two miles south of town at the Cape Perpetua Campground exit, and take an immediate left up Overlook Road
to the top of the mountain. This is the highest point that you can drive to on the Oregon coast.
A wheelchair accessible quarter mile loop trail leaves the parking lot to the West Shelter viewpoint. Built in the 1930s by stone
masons of the Civilian Conservation Corps, the West Shelter viewpoint was used as a look out point
during World War II. Today it provides an unsurpassed panoramic ocean view and an ideal location for whale watching.
The Forest Service at Cape Perpetua operates a
Visitors Center with natural and cultural
history exhibits. Ask about the ancient Indian shell middens found on Cape Perpetua and the surrounding area. The exit for the Visitors
Center is just south of the Campground/Overlook exit on Hwy 101.
From the Visitors Center at Cape Perpetua you may hike The Giant Spruce Trail (2 miles round trip). The majestic old Sitka
Spruce at the end of this trail is nearly 600 years old, more than 180 feet tall, and has a 40 foot circumference. It was recently
designated an Oregon Heritage Tree, and it has a truly amazing story of survival.
See: Giant Spruce of Cape Perpetua.
 Heceta Head
Lighthouse signals to seafarers from atop a magnificent forested
promontory just 14 miles south of Yachats. This working lighthouse,
circa 1894, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places
and is one of the most photographed lighthouses in the world. It
is open for public tours Memorial Day through Labor Day and again
in December when the Keepers' House is decorated for its
annual Victorian Christmas Open House.
Early History of Yachats
and General Yachats History
OTHER SITES OF INTEREST:
Alsea Bay Bridge Interpretive Center - Located in Waldport at the base
of the bridge, this is a marvelous center for the history of Oregon bridges. There is a wooden toy bridge here to entertain children while
adults enjoy the old photographs and other exhibits. A park interpreter leads an Alsea Bay Bridge Walk on Fridays-Tuesdays at 2:00 p.m. (during
peak visitor season). FMI: 541-563-2002 or 1-800-551-6949.
Alsi Historical & Genealogical Society / Waldport Heritage Museum
Waldport History
Yaquina Bay Light Station
and Yaquina Head Lighthouse
Newport's Historic Nye Beach Area and Historic Working Waterfront
Oregon Coast History Center, 541-265-7509 - 545 NW 9th, Newport. Maritime, logging,
settlement, Native American exhibits.
Siuslaw Pioneer Museum,
541-997-7884 - Located in Old-Town Florence
Oldtown Florence Waterfront
This
site is owned and maintained by
Yachats Area Chamber of Commerce
P.O.
Box 728, Yachats, OR 97498
www.yachats.org
©1999-2010
Please report any site problems to the webmaster@yachats.org.
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