Gearhart, Oregon
About the town
In addition to the natural beauty offered by the
north Oregon coast, Gearhart also boasts
an important link to Oregon history. Local legend tells us
that the Gearhart Golf Links was one of the first recognized sites for
true Links golf starting in about 1888. "Links" golf is played on a course
built on sand left by the sea, created by natural forces such as wind,
rain, vegetation and terrain. Visitors to the Hotel Gearhart, a popular
seaside resort, saw the meadows across from the hotel as a perfect setting
for the European pastime that was just beginning to catch on in the
States.
By the early 1900's Gearhart was becoming an established
favorite seaside escape especially for Portland
and SW Washington
residents who often vacationed at the coast.
The
Gearhart Hotel was a famous coastal attraction and destination on the
north coast and still is today. The original hotel was destroyed in a fire
in 1913 but was rebuilt several different times in several different
locations for over 60 years until the last hotel was demolished in 1972
due to it's age and neglected condition. It was replaced with a 5
story building made out of concrete in an effort to better resist an
unforeseen fire. Today the building is now referred to as the
Gearhart House. Each unit is individually owned by individual
investors but managed as a hotel offering overnight accommodations to
visiting guests from all over the world.
Today the city of
Gearhart is still a mix of permanent
residents and vacation home residents. The town also retains much of its
earlier 1900 charm and it's quiet residential streets are lined with
grand-old vacation houses, many reminiscent of picturesque East Coast
beach communities.
The local population swells
dramatically during the summer months. Visitors enjoy quaint shops, the
Pacific Way Cafe & bakery- a great local restaurant & bakery a
must stop for a delightful meal or morning coffee or Danish
roll, a real ice cream parlor, a wonderful small grocery store, and
even a branch office of the Oregon Education Association - but why in
Gearhart ( that has always amused me for more than 50 years each time I
walk by their office - but why not I guess?), a post
office and memories of by-gone days not typically enjoyed in larger
beachside communities.
The next time you are
on the north Oregon coast come
to Gearhart and investigate for yourself the essence of the Gearhart
community. If you can, spend a quiet weekend or maybe just the day
discovering why Gearhart is still the "jewel" of the north coast.
Sure I'm a bit partial but that's OK I can't think of a better place to
live or work –
dhb
