Pieces of History...
Did You Know?
- Oregon is one of the only states in the U.S. where the entire coastline is open to the public.
- The 1913 law that protected the beaches was only one sentence long.
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The Beach Bill was nearly defeated — until a public outcry and dramatic photos of fenced-off beaches swayed lawmakers.
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Governor Tom McCall famously called the beaches “a legacy we must pass on, unimpaired, to the next generation.”
August 2025
The People’s Coast: How Oregon’s Beaches Became Public​
Did you know that every inch of Oregon’s 363 miles of coastline is open to the public? It’s true — and this rare privilege didn’t happen by chance. It’s the result of bold leadership and strong public support that, for more than a century, has protected what we now call The People’s Coast.
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The story begins in 1913, when Governor Oswald West, an avid outdoorsman, convinced the state legislature to declare Oregon’s beaches a public highway. At the time, this designation allowed the shoreline to be used for travel, fishing, and recreation. More importantly, it guaranteed that the beaches would remain in public hands for generations to come.
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By the 1960s, however, private development threatened that legacy. Some landowners began fencing off sections of the beach, sparking fears that public access would be lost. In response, Governor Tom McCall and State Highway Commissioner Bob Straub championed the Beach Bill of 1967. This landmark law reaffirmed that the wet sand below the high tide line belonged to everyone and extended public rights up to the line of vegetation, preserving access to the dry sand as well. Public support for the bill was overwhelming, and the Oregon coast remained a place for everyone to enjoy.
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Today, the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department (OPRD) ensures those rights are upheld. Private landowners can’t block access, and any development along the coast is carefully reviewed to protect the public’s ability to explore and enjoy the shoreline. This part gets a bit technical, but the OPRD & Oregon Department of Land Conservation & Development's literature is robust and can explain quite a bit on 'beach access'. The primary guidelines were constructed in the 1970's with State Land Use Planning Goal 17. Here is a guide that was written in 2024 that helps local governments plan for Public Access. These both speak to how the public has a right to access the beach.
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Thanks to these protections, our beaches remain a shared treasure — a place to watch the sunset, fly kites, explore tide pools, or simply take a quiet walk along the water’s edge. Oregon’s coast isn’t just a scenic wonder; it’s a testament to the idea that some natural spaces are meant to belong to everyone.
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July 2025
The Salishan Spit, located at the mouth of the Siletz River and separating the Pacific Ocean from Siletz Bay, has a complex history tied to the Siletz Indian Tribe and its evolving relationship with the U.S. government.
Historical Connection:
• Traditional Lands: The Siletz people traditionally inhabited the central coast of Oregon, including the area around the Siletz River and Bay, before the arrival of European settlers. They were a Salishan-speaking group and were considered the southernmost branch of the larger Coast Salish culture.
• Forced Relocation: In the mid-19th century, during or after the Rogue River Wars, the U.S. government forcibly relocated the Siletz people to the Coast Indian Reservation, later known as the Siletz Reservation. This reservation was initially established in 1855 and encompassed a large area, including the Siletz homeland.
• Loss of Lands: The Siletz Reservation was significantly reduced in size over time through various government actions, including treaties and the Dawes Act.
• Termination and Restoration: In 1954, the Western Oregon Termination Act ended the federal recognition of the Siletz Tribe. However, the Siletz Tribe successfully lobbied for restoration, and in 1977, became the second tribe in the nation to regain federal recognition.
• Reservation Reestablishment: The Siletz Reservation Act in 1980 reestablished a land base for the Siletz Tribe, though it was much smaller than the original reservation.
Salishan Spit Today:
• Property Ownership: While the beaches are public lands, much of the upland property on the Salishan Spit is privately owned, including by Salishan Leaseholders, Inc. The Salishan Coastal Lodge also owns the golf course on the southern part of the spit.
• Restoration Efforts: The Siletz Bay estuary, impacted by past practices such as diking and draining for agriculture, is undergoing restoration efforts to improve habitat for fish and wildlife. The Confederated Tribes of the Siletz Indians are actively involved in these restoration projects, working with various government agencies and organizations.
Significance:
The Salishan Spit is a place with historical significance for the Siletz Indian Tribe due to their traditional connection to the area. The history of the spit reflects the broader story of the Siletz people, including their forced displacement, loss of land, termination of federal recognition, and subsequent restoration and efforts to reclaim their heritage and resources. The name itself reflects the area's connection to the Salishan languages spoken by the Siletz people.
