Tucked between the Coastal Mountains and the Pacific Ocean, nestled on the shores of spectacular Yaquina Bay, Newport lives up to its slogan as “the friendliest town” and is the largest on the Central Oregon Coast with a population of nearly 10,000.

The history of Newport shaped the two distinct parts of the town—the historic Bayfront and Nye Beach. With the discovery in 1862 of huge oyster beds in the bay and river, companies from San Francisco began to arrive for oyster harvesting. In 1866, Samuel Case staked a claim on the north shore of Yaquina Bay and soon announced the construction of the area’s first hotel. Being familiar with the Ocean House Hotel in Newport, Rhode Island, he subsequently named the hotel and the new city after the town on the Atlantic coast.

With the completion of the Corvallis-Yaquina Bay Wagon Road, tourists from the Willamette Valley could ride the stage to Elk City, about 25 miles up the Yaquina River, then travel down river on a mail boat to the Newport Bayfront. Before long, talk of Newport becoming “The San Francisco of the Northwest” was spreading far and wide. The Oregon Development First Class Steamship Company began carrying passengers between Yaquina and San Francisco. By 1867, the town consisted of two stores, two fish-packing plants, two hotels, two saloons, a restaurant and a meat market.

Those with an interest in history will not lack for places to whet their appetite. In 1871, the Yaquina Bay Lighthouse was built as an aid to navigation. Unfortunately, because of where the lighthouse had been located, ships entering the area from the north were unable to see the light. Consequently, in 1873, a new lighthouse was commissioned and the Yaquina Head Lighthouse was built. It is still operational today. Both lighthouses are open to the public.

Historically, Bayfront was Newport’s economic backbone and later became a port for the commercial fishing and lumber products industries. Today, Bayfront is still home to Oregon’s largest commercial fishing fleets, a working waterfront on which visitors can enjoy shops, art galleries, chowder houses, restaurants and family attractions in its turn-of-the-century storefronts. Charter fishing boats offer trips for salmon and halibut.

By the 1890s, as Newport grew, an area north of Bayfront, called Nye Beach, became popular with tourists as well. By the early 1900s, Nye Beach was the number one visitor attraction on the Oregon coast, with hot sea baths, taffy stores, arcades and agate shops. Numerous summer cottages and cabins began to be built in the area. In 1891, the city built a wooden sidewalk to connect the area with the Bayfront. Today, Nye Beach is a very popular destination for unique galleries, bookstores, restaurants, shops and lodging. Call (800) 262-7844 or 541) 265-8801 for more information. www.discovernewport.com