• Stories from the SPA

    Another old time Surf Pines resident has passed away – Neva Campbell‘s Obituary

    Neva Campbell was a long time resident of Surf Pines and was very active in the early 90’s on our BOD. She became an attorney at the age of 40 and broke through the glass ceiling by being the first woman then partner of her Portland law firm. She was instrumental in working with Richie Schroeder in assimilating the new Surf Pines Landing into our community in 1990-91.

  • Stories from the SPA

    Stories of Gearhart’s Grand Hotels and James Beard.

    This presentation, part of the Seaside Museum and Historical Society’s History & Hops series, explores the rich history of Gearhart, Oregon, through the memories and research of longtime resident Denny Holmes. Hosted by Tom Smith, the film delves into the legacy of four historic Gearhart hotels—each reflecting the town’s transformation from an exclusive coastal retreat to a vibrant community. From the grandeur of the Gearhart Park Hotel to the Prohibition-era intrigue of the Ocean House, these iconic establishments played a pivotal role in shaping the town’s character. Additionally, the documentary highlights the profound connection between Gearhart and James Beard, the legendary chef who spent his formative years along the Oregon coast. Featuring…

  • Stories from the SPA

    Gearhart History: Pioneers, Hotels, and More

    Tom Smith will be presenting this month’s History & Hops discussion with a video presentation on the storied past of Gearhart’s hotels and the town’s unique connection to culinary icon James Beard. Through rare photographs, historical documents, and firsthand accounts from local pioneers, we’ll explore the rise and fall of Gearhart’s most famous hotels—from the grand Gearhart Park Hotel of 1890 to the beloved Gearhart Hotel by the Sea. The presentation will also feature video clips and interviews with longtime residents, including Dick Fettig, Bob McEwan, and Denny Holmes, who share personal stories and insights into these iconic establishments. We’ll then transition into the fascinating story of James Beard, whose formative years in Gearhart…

  • Stories from the SPA

    Clatsop County Heritage Society has a Tax Saving Donation Opportunity that helps our Scanning Center help the Community.

    The Paul See Digital Scanning Initiative. Preserving History Through Digitization In 2018, the devastating Aberdeen, WA Armory fire destroyed an irreplaceable local historical museum, highlighting the urgency of preserving historical documents and photographs. Inspired by this loss, the Clatsop County Historical Society (CCHS) launched a digital scanning initiative to safeguard our shared heritage for future generations. Thanks to a generous donation from the Huisking Foundation, CCHS established a state-of-the-art digital scanning center, featuring professional high-speed scanners and access to the Internet Archive (IA)—the world’s largest online library with over 43 million books and documents. Over the past five years, more than $206,000 in donations has enabled the center to hire a digital…

  • Stories from the SPA

    Great Coastal Gale of 2007

    In the most recent Clatsop County Historical Society Cumtux Vol. 43 No. 4 they published an article based on an interview I had with Shirley See (wife of local historian Paul See) and her daughter Dana Weston. It really helps people understand how bad this winter storm was. After the article there is a gallery of pictures of the aftermath of this storm. Cumtux is a quarterly publication that CCHS sends out to members. Each edition includes 4 to 5 stories (40 to 50 PGS) of local historical interest by local authors. I have included this article so people can see what a bargain being a member of the Clatsop County Historical…