Brookings, OR - The coast of Oregon is everything you've heard it is and more. The jagged rock cliffs, topped by groves of toweringyoung Redwood trees, with waves crashing at their base, sets the bar for a new kind of experience. Brookings, OR sits at the southern gateway to this magnificent coast line and provides an ample and warm welcome to what is sure to be an unforgettable experience for you, your family and your soul.
Brookings, Oregon was named after John E. Brookings, president of the Brookings Lumber and Box Company, which founded the city in 1908. Today, about 15,000 folks live in and around Brookings, OR. Some are retirees, some are Silicon Valley commuters, some are fisherman and others just happen to enjoy the area and call it home. It is a small town and it's uniqueness is apparent as you drive down US 101 which is the virtual main street of Brookings, Oregon. Psychedelic VW buses can be seen, skate and surf shops, art galleries, several small drive thru coffee offerings as well as an upscale bistro offering unique dishes. Many local business operate from the eclectic collection of buildings lining US 101.
Brookings, Oregon began as a lumber town, it's location on the banks of the Chetco River where it meets the Pacific, making it an obvious choice for a lumber mill and a shipping center. The town quickly prospered as the demand for lumber grew, it's harbor area expanding to suit the needs of the growing lumber industry as well as commercial and pleasure fishing. A laminate mill still exists today and is a prevalent view in the downtown area of Brookings.
The Chetco river and salmon have long been a source of food, fun and natural encounters. The Pacific Ocean provides among others incredible seafood, dungeness crab. This has long been an unknown personal favorite of mine, I have just recently discovered. You can buy these directly off the dock and they will even cook them for you. An oppurtunitynot to be missed!
The Chetco River fishery, typical of Pacific coastal systems, is dominated by salmon and trout. There are important populations of winter steelhead, fall Chinook salmon and sea-run cutthroat trout. The Chetco provides excellent spawning and rearing habitat and the residents take pride in the rivers cleanliness and pristine like condition. Great salmon and steelhead fishing opportunities abound.
History also made a global impact with the Brookings, OR area at it's epicenter. Mount Emily, near Brookings, became the first site in the continental United States to suffer aerial bombardment in wartime on September 9, 1942. A Japanese floatplane launched from submarine I-25 was loaded with incendiary bombs and sent to start destructive fires in the dense, old growth forests of the Pacific Northwest. The attack caused only minor damage. Many other attacks were then enacted against the area in the form of huge balloons carrying incendiary bombs. One balloon bomb eventually resulting in the only deaths due to enemy action on mainland America during World War II. This occurred when it was discovered hanging in a tree and was accidentally triggered by those who discovered it. The other balloon bombs were non-effectual in their goal of starting huge forest fires.
Nature dominates around Brookings. The views from virtually anywhere include mountains reaching upward as they birth new clouds and dramatic rocky coast lines with pounding surfs that stretch for miles. And trees. Always there are the trees. A short ride along the Chetco river takes you up in elevation and into beautiful forest areas. You will want to drive slow as the dirt road is rough and the views are worth it. Unbelievably massive stumps from days long passed remain, like sentinels, in the prospering new growth forest. The 200ish year old stumps being the remaining remnants of the 250' tall giants that once completely dominated this landscape and ultimately brought their own demise as an invaluable resource when this nation was being built. The river begins to change color as you go upstream. It becomes ice blue and clear. The flow increases as you gain in altitude. This also makes for some amazing river shots. Waterfalls are abundant and quite loud! Be sure to stop and listen to the roar that is made by the smallest of waterfalls as they make their way into the Chetco River.
Mushroom hunting is big business in this area as well as an immensely fun activity! Mushroom hunters can be seen parked along the road during mushroom season. We tried our hand at finding some and were quite pleased to go home with several handfuls of Black Trumpet and Chanterelle mushrooms. These promptly became accessories for that nights spaghetti and the following mornings omelet. A bit of trepidation ensued, I will admit, but after one last Google check (safety third!), we dug in and they were delicious!
Brookings Oregon has created a peaceful and easy feeling kind of place. It's just quirky enough not to be boring and unique enough to be a real candidate for a place to call home.
Not for us though, we're on the next stop! Thanks for reading!