Fifty years ago, the citizens of Depoe Bay voted to incorporate, and Oregon’s smallest coastal seaport town became the state’s newest incorporated city.
According to a story in the Salem Capitol Journal from May 23, 1973, Depoe Bay residents voted by a tidal-wave 121-vote margin at the Tuesday election.
The story goes on to say 164 of the town’s approximately 300 registered voters favored incorporation. Fifty-three opposed it.
The newly incorporated city, with a population of 460 and an assessed valuation of $8 million at that time, encompassed land from Boiler Bay State Park on the north to the Maling Estate on the south and included the six square acre Depoe Bay harbor.
Proponents emphasized the necessity of incorporating to give residents the opportunity to zone and control their town and harbor ecologically and architecturally to preserve Depoe Bay as a picturesque, nautical city by the sea.
To celebrate this historic event, city leaders and staff are coordinating a fun-filled afternoon of live entertainment, delicious food, and more. There will be an emcee at the event to encourage locals to share stories and photos. A video presentation will be played showing hundreds of historic photos. Several members of the DePoe family, from who the town was named after to honor Chief Charlie DePoe.
Squatchsami and Grubs On will be present with delicious food for purchase and for the kids, and young at heart, Neighbors For Kids will have activities such as face painting and a Lego contest.
The event is free and open to the public. It will be held at the Depoe Bay City Park at the end of Shell Avenue down by the boat launch ramp area of the World's Smallest Navigable Harbor!
The celebration is open from Noon – 4PM, Saturday, May 20th.
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