The Long Way
Clatsop County
A couple walks along a coastal path with a large rock formation in the sea behind them.
Plate I. Face Rock along Pacific Coast Scenic Byway. From traveloregon.com
A tall white lighthouse stands in a grassy landscape under a blue sky with clouds.
Plate II. Lighthouse along Pacific Coast Scenic Byway. From traveloregon.com
A winding coastal highway runs alongside a rocky ocean shore at sunset.
Plate III. Coastal highway, Pacific Coast Scenic Byway. From traveloregon.com
A scenic view of a rocky coastline and arch viewed through trees.
Plate IV. Coastal rock arch, Pacific Coast Scenic Byway. From traveloregon.com
A scenic view of a coastal beach with cliffs, rocks, and mountains under a pinkish sky.
Plate V. Ecola State Park, Pacific Coast Scenic Byway. From tripcheck.com

Pacific Coast Scenic Byway

Astoria, Clatsop County, Oregon. All-American Road; Winter through summer.

Details

Map. Astoria, Clatsop County, Oregon. Larger map
Where
Astoria, Clatsop County, OR. No street address stated. Directions
Getting there
Along Highway 101 the entire length of the Oregon coastline.
Fees
No fees to drive this byway.
Access
A landmark state law ensures every inch of the coastline is open to the public.
Phone
888-628-2101
Managed by
Oregon Coast Visitors Association.

Starting in Astoria and traveling south to Brookings, the byway winds past estuarine marshes, clings to seaside cliffs, passes through agricultural valleys, and brushes against wind-sculpted dunes; charming small towns, museums, state parks, overlooks, historic bridges, and lighthouses ensure a delightful journey.

Notable Events

  1. 1919Voters approved $2.5 million in bonds for the project, but matching federal funds did not appear. oregonencyclopedia.org
  2. 1921The state highway department's coast-road project began in earnest. oregonencyclopedia.org
  3. 1926The coast road became U.S. 101. oregonencyclopedia.org
  4. 1931Oregon renamed U.S. 101 the Oregon Coast Highway. oregonencyclopedia.org
  5. 1934Conde McCullough directed design and construction of bridges at Yaquina Bay, Alsea Bay, the Siuslaw River, the Umpqua River, and Coos Bay, replacing state ferries and completing the highway's last links. oregon.gov
  6. 1940Highway 101 opened over Neahkahnie Mountain, completing the coast highway from Astoria to California. oregonhistoryproject.org
  7. 2002The Oregon Coast Highway became a National Scenic Byway-All American Road. oregonencyclopedia.org
  8. 2005Eleven McCullough bridges were listed on the National Register of Historic Places. oregonencyclopedia.org

People

  • Glen Paxson, Acting Bridge Engineer who supervised the remaining bridge construction after McCullough left (from October 1935).
  • Conde McCullough, Assistant State Bridge Engineer who directed design and construction of five major coastal bridges (1934-1936).
  • Ben Jones, State representative called the Father of the Coast Highway who drafted supporting legislation.
  • Charles McNary, U.S. senator who brokered the state-federal financing arrangement for five coastal bridges (1936).
  • Isaac Lee Patterson, Oregon governor who promoted construction of the Rogue River bridge.
  • Theodore Roosevelt, Namesake of the Roosevelt Coast Military Highway.

Sources

  1. traveloregon.com/things-to-do/trip-ideas/scenic-drives/the-pacific-coast-scenic-byway
  2. fhwaapps.fhwa.dot.gov/bywaysp/byway/2143
  3. tripcheck.com/Pages/Scenic-Byways-Pacific-Coast
  4. oregonencyclopedia.org/articles/highway_101_oregon_coast_highway_
  5. oregonhistoryproject.org/articles/historical-records/highway-101-neahkahnie-mountain
  6. oregon.gov/odot/about/pages/history.aspx
  7. npshistory.com/publications/oregon/historic_scenic_highways/sec3.htm
  8. nsbfoundation.com/nb/pacific-coast-scenic-byway