‘Found’ photos of Neskowin create historical coffee table book

Chelsea Yarnell • September 25, 2025

First it was a fishing settlement. Then a farming and camping area. And now today, a vibrant community on the rural Oregon Coast. The evolution of Neskowin is captured through historic photos in The Neskowin Historical Foundation’s first ever book: “Neskowin: A Book of Found Photos 1880-1970.”


The 300+ page, hardback coffee table book takes readers on a visual journey through time featuring photographs of the area’s iconic landscapes such as Proposal Rock and the mysterious Ghost Forest, as well as portraits of the town’s pioneering families. 



“We wanted to have a different approach [than a history book],” Neskowin Historical Foundation member Michael Schlicting said. “We wanted to create an artbook with a different style that was photo-driven, and the captions would give the context and the history. Each chapter opens with a synopsis. The ‘fun’ was the act of discovery, pulling on threads, and seeing the tapestry unfold in front of us of how Neskwoin came to be what it is.”


The book was primarily researched and compiled by the founding members of the Neskowin Historical Foundation: Jim Affolter, Cameron Nagel, Cathy Benneth, Steve Beckham, Jody Stager, and Schlicting. A call for photos was put out to the community, which brought forth rare, “found” photos and history that had never been documented.



“The interesting thing that we found was that Neskowin became a farming community and a beach resort from day one,” Schlicting said. “People came from the valley in 1880 to camp for the summer and have clambakes and dances. We found newspaper articles and first-person accounts which gives a richness to these photos.”


The book’s cover photo features a young woman, book in hand, gazing at Proposal Rock. It was an image that stood out to the Neskowin Historical Foundation members.


“We wanted the cover photo to be one of the early photos,” Schlicting said. “We found this one to be compelling and a story visual. We kept coming back to it.”


Love a particular image? The Neskwoin Historical Foundation can assist with individual prints of photographs including a brief historical description of the image, so readers can curate their own collection of Neskwoin memories. 



A book release open house will be hosted at Hawk Creek Gallery on Saturday, October 11 from 11 am – 5 pm. The event will have copies of  “Neskowin: A Book of Found Photos 1880-1970” for sale as well as Neskowin Historical Foundation swag available for purchase. 


“It’s going to be a beautiful book from a visual standpoint,” Schlicting said. “If you’re a history buff or have an interest in how the coast was developed, I think it will be an attractive book.”


More information about ordering and shipping can be found at NeskowinHistoricalFoundation.org.

By Chelsea Yarnell September 18, 2025
A lot has changed since the Tillamook County Pioneer Museum’s (TCPM) founding in 1935. New history, exhibits, and staff. But something remains the same: TCPM’s commitment to preserving the history of Tillamook County. As TCPM looks to the future, they’re asking the community to be a part of the process. “The Tillamook County Pioneer Museum Board is deeply committed to ensuring the museum grows alongside our community,” TCPM Board of Directors President Ryan Weber said. “We envision the museum as a vibrant gathering place where neighbors, families, and visitors can come together to connect with the history of our county in meaningful ways.” TCPM is currently developing a five-year strategic plan to help guide the future of the museum. “By embracing museum best practices and creating experiences that are both accessible and relevant to today, we aim to honor the past while inspiring the future,” Weber said. “These are the very reasons we are undertaking a five-year strategic planning process. We want to chart a thoughtful path forward that reflects our community’s voice and ensures the museum remains a place of pride for generations to come.” The public is invited to participate in a community survey about TCPM. The survey can be found at: surveymonkey.com/r/TCPM2025 About the Tillamook County Pioneer Museum Founded in 1935 by Tillamook Oregon pioneers, the Tillamook County Pioneer Museum offers 19 display areas that focus on the history of the North Oregon Coast. The museum’s mission is to preserve and interpret the Cultural Heritage of the North Oregon Coast and to foster appreciation and respect of the North Oregon Coast's environment. The current collection includes 55,000 items and 20,000 photographs ranging from prehistoric specimens to modern-day. The Tillamook County Pioneer Museum is open to the public Tuesday-Saturday, 10 am - 4 pm. Admission is $7 for adults, $5 for seniors, and free for children under the age of 10. The research library can be accessed by appointment only.
By Chelsea Yarnell September 18, 2025
Let’s fall into this autumn season! The Tillamook Forest Center is getting ready for the rainy season with our fall event lineup. In addition to our fall events, the bridge gate at the TFC was chosen to be highlighted as part of the “50 for 50” initiative, started by the Oregon Arts Commission inviting Oregonians to discover 50 selected artworks displayed in public places around Oregon for the 50 th anniversary of the Percent for Art program. Fall Events Have Fun Drawing Fungi! | November 1 st at 1:00 pm Learning to draw mushrooms can be a lot of fun for artists of all levels. Mushrooms offer simple shapes and amazing colors and patterns. Learn how to depict mushrooms using basic shapes, color and light to make your mushrooms look magical. In this workshop, Artist Dorota Haber-Lehigh will explore techniques with graphite pencil, watercolor pencil and colored pencils. We will be drawing from observation, so feel free to bring a non-poisonous mushroom to class (you can find one at a store if you are not a mushroom expert). Rain Festival | November 15 th – 16 th | All Day Rain has come to the Tillamook State Forest, turning trickling streams into roaring rapids - but are you ready to go with the flow? Join us at the Tillamook Forest Center as we plunge into the world of surging rivers, spawning salmon, and the inner workings of watersheds to celebrate the ways in which rain transforms our forests. Holiday Wreath Making | November 28 th - 30 th at 11:00 AM Bring the beauty of the forest home this winter by creating a winter wreath. Participants will use a variety of natural materials that were harvested from our very own state forests. Younger children will also be able to make cone bird feeders. All materials and supplies are included in the cost of the class.
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The City of Tillamook would like to inform residents and tourists of upcoming construction work scheduled to take place at Coatsville Park (9th Street Park), this construction is expected to require closing a portion of the parking lot, exercise equipment, and swing set . The construction is expected to begin on Monday, September 22, 2025 and last until November 30, 2025 depending on the contractor’s availability and project schedule. During this time, Coatsville Park will require periodic closings of the entire park area when necessary, however most of the time the park will remain open to the public in areas outside of the playground area. The public is expected to proceed with caution in the area. Work i s planned to install a new piece of playground equipment, as well as installation of a new rubberized surface, to increase child safety. For questions or additional information, please contact the City of Tillamook Public Works Department at (503) 374-1823.
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It’s that time again to let the gourd times roll at The Kilchis River Pumpkin Patch. “It's a different kind of pumpkin patch in a beautiful, remote, authentic and relaxed setting,” Zweifel said. “Come for the afternoon and enjoy the good, wholesome family fun.” Boasting thousands of gourds and u-pick pumpkins, and the biggest corn maze on the Oregon Coast, the Kilchis River Pumpkin Patch will operate every Saturday and Sunday in October from noon – 5 p.m. Get the full, down-home experience with free hay-rides behind one of the farm’s tractors, or snap a cute family picture at one of multiple photo booths. “People who come here, remark about how family-friendly and non-commercial it is,” Owner Patrick Zweifel said. “It is very relaxed. People come with their families and a basket of food and hang out for several hours.”
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By Chelsea Yarnell September 6, 2025
What influences an area? Laws? The economy? The environment? “Oregon Voices” tries to answer these questions . As a traveling exhibit from the Oregon Historical Society, “Oregon Voices” examines some of the important people, industries, organizations, and laws that have shaped the state of Oregon from the end of World War II through 2020. “My hope with bringing ‘Oregon Voices’ to the Museum is to expand the narratives displayed in the permanent and temporary exhibits,” Tillamook Pioneer Museum Exhibit & Programs Developer Jenny Teece said. “This traveling exhibit touches on multiple different identities, industries, and perspectives that encapsulates the Oregon experience that people from all walks of life can relate to.” The exhibit has five, threesided pop-up kiosks that cover a different topic on Oregon history: industry and economy; equal rights and social justice; migration and immigration; environment and energy; and Indigenous Tribes of Oregon.
By Chelsea Yarnell September 6, 2025
Celebrate National Public Lands Day by cleaning up the beach from Oceanside to Netarts with the Friends of Netarts Bay WEBS and Oceanside Action Partnership, Saturday, September 27, 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. WEBS and OAP will have welcome tables set up at The Schooner Restaurant and the upper parking lot at Oceanside Beach, so volunteers can choose where to start the day. “Let’s take this opportunity to clean up the beach with friends or family, or expand your community by teaming up with fellow volunteers,” says Marina Dreeben, WEBS stewardship coordinator. “In addition to cleaning up the beach, join us for a marine debris survey demonstration at The Schooner at 9:30 a.m. to learn how debris is monitored on the beach year-round, and how you can help!” In our efforts to reduce waste, instead of using plastic bags, please bring your own bucket to collect debris. There will be some extra buckets on hand if needed. Be sure to stick around after the cleanup for a special treat just for volunteers – The Schooner will be grilling up fresh oysters from Pearl Point Oyster here in Netarts to thank you for keeping our coastal ecosystems clean!! As you head out to clean up or just explore, it is important to remember that ocean shores can be dangerous. Avoid logs in the water, keep your distance from marine mammals, and never turn your back on the ocean! If you find any hazardous material, please alert a staff member. Advanced registration saves time, but is not required. To register and read more about this event visit http://www.netartsbaywebs.org/events Questions? Contact info@netartsbaywebs.org
By Chelsea Yarnell September 6, 2025
Join WEBS Board President, Michael Krall on Saturday, September 20 for an introduction to Tillamook County birds and birding. Starting with an optional, two-hour slow and easy bird walk, participants will scope out some of our Northwest feathered friends along inland trails and coastal shores. After the walk, the group will meet at the Netarts Community Club for an informative indoor presentation. Michael will share his photographs, some tips on where and when to bird in Tillamook County, and talk about some of the birds we can expect to see in these diverse habitats. Michael birds and photographs extensively in Tillamook County, around Oregon, and beyond. He caught the birding bug starting with a Golden Eagle banding in central Oregon with his 8th grade science teacher some 60 years ago. Michael said, “I have always been partial to woodpeckers.” In 2017, he made a book of photographs featuring all 22 woodpecker species found in the US and Canada. Now Michael is working on the 50 or so US warbler species and has just a few to go! “So many birds, so little time!” Registration is required. Learn more and register for this event at: https://www.netartsbaywebs.org/even ts
By Chelsea Yarnell September 4, 2025
Editor’s note: This feature story contains information about suicide and suicide prevention and awareness. If you, or someone you know, is struggling with thoughts of self-harm or suicide, help is available: Suicide & Crisis Lifeline : Call or text 988. 24/7 Tillamook County Crisis Hotline : 1-800-962-2851 or 503-842-8201 24/7 AgriStress Helpline (available specifically for people in farming, ranching, fishery, and forestry industries): call 833-897-2474 Mental health and behavior health services are available at: Tillamook Family Counseling Center: 503-842-8201, tfcc.org Adventist Health : 503-815-2292 Nehalem Bay Health Center : 1-800-368-5182 Tillamook County Community Health Centers: 503-842-3938
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