| |
Curry County, OR
|
|
|
 Established:
Dec. 18, 1855
Population: 21,100 (2003)
Elev. at Gold Beach: 60'
Area: 1,648 sq. mi.
Average Temp.: January 45.0°, July 65.0°
Assessed Value: $1,917,303,029
Real Market Value: $2,593,152,790
Annual Precipitation: 82.67"
Economy: Forest products, agriculture, commercial and sport
fishing, recreation and tourism.
Incorporated Cities: Brookings | Gold Beach | Port Orford
Points of Interest: Cape Blanco Lighthouse, Cape Sebastian and
Samuel H. Boardman State Parks, Rogue River Japanese Bomb Site
and coastal ports.
General Information: Named after Territorial Governor George L.
Curry, the county was a part of “Coose” [sic] County until it
was created in 1855. Port Orford was the county seat until 1859
when it was replaced by Ellensburg (later renamed Gold Beach).
Curry County contains valuable standing timber and also offers
spectacular coastal scenery, clamming and crabbing, excellent
fishing (freshwater and saltwater), upriver scenic boat trips,
hiking trails, and gold for the fun of panning. The Port of
Brookings is considered one of the safest harbors on the coast.
Agricultural products include sheep and cattle, cranberries,
blueberries, Easter lilies and horticultural nursery stock.
Curry County is also a prolific producer of myrtlewood.
County Officials: Commissioners—Ralph Brown (R) 2007, Lucie La
Bonté (D) 2009, Marlyn A. Schafer (R) 2009; Dist. Atty.
Alexandria Streich; Assess. James V. Kolen (NP) 2009; Clerk
Renee Kolen (NP) 2009; Sheriff Mark Metcalf; Surv. Jerry Floyd
(NP) 2007; Treas. Isabella Brock (NP) 2007.
|
|
|
|
County History |
Curry County was created on December 18, 1855, from the
southern part of Coos County. Initially it was proposed that the
new county be name after Captain William Tichenor, council
member from Port Orford. However, he declined because his
constituents wanted to honor the territorial governor, George
Law Curry.
Curry County is situated along the Pacific Coast in the
southwest corner of Oregon. It is bounded on the south by
California, on the west by the Pacific Ocean, on the north by
Coos County, and on the east by Josephine County. The county
originally contained about 1,500 square miles. However, boundary
adjustments with Coos County in 1872 and 1951 and Josephine
County in 1880 and 1927 increased the area to 1,648 square
miles.
Upon creation of Curry County, the Territorial Legislature fixed
the county seat temporarily at Port Orford until the citizens of
the county could determine a permanent site. In 1859, following
an informal vote of county citizens during the general election,
Ellensburg was designated the county seat. In 1891 Ellensburg
was renamed Gold Beach because of the gold and other minerals
found in the sands in this area and to eliminate confusion with
the city of Ellensburg located in the state of Washington.
The first courthouse was in Judge Fred Smith's home in Port
Orford. Apparently the town's inability to finance the
construction of a proper courthouse was a factor in the vote
that favored the move to Gold Beach. The first courthouse in
Gold Beach was replaced in 1912. The current courthouse was
constructed in 1958.
The government of Curry County consisted originally of a probate
judge, a three member board of commissioners, sheriff, auditor,
treasurer, and coroner. The county judge`s position was replaced
by a board of commissioners in 1969. Port districts were
established at Port Orford in 1919 and Gold Beach in 1955.
The first county census in 1860 showed a population of 393.
There has been a steady increase in population with the 2000
population given at 21,137, a 9.37% increase over 1990.
In 1852 explorers discovered gold and other precious metals in
the rivers and along the beaches of this area. Initially
settlement in the county was concentrated along the coast and
depended primarily on water transportation. The slow development
of inland transportation routes kept the county relatively
isolated well into the twentieth century. While there is still
some mining of cobalt, nickel, and chromium in the Gasaquet
Mountain area, the economy has reoriented to agriculture and
timber. Port Orford cedar (Lawson Cypress) and myrtlewood are
important export products. The county has excellent grazing
areas for raising cattle and sheep. The county also produces
blueberries, horticultural nursery stock, and ninety percent of
all Easter lilies raised in the United States. Vacation and
recreational possibilities in the county draw tourists to the
area and provide additional economic diversity. |
|
|
|
