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Drain–Coos Bay stage line

The Drain–Coos Bay stage line was a stagecoach line that operated an overland and marine transportation line that connected the interior of southern Oregon with Coos Bay from 1876 to 1916. The Drain–Coos Bay Stage Compan

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1312859571 · 2025-09-23T01:05:51Z
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beach7 uses in this article landing6 uses in this article stage5 uses in this article coach4 uses in this article north4 uses in this article south4 uses in this article river3 uses in this article route3 uses in this article Winchester2 uses in this article steamboat2 uses in this article another2 uses in this article between2 uses in this article Empire2 uses in this article about2 uses in this article along2 uses in this article could2 uses in this article Creek2 uses in this article large2 uses in this article miles2 uses in this article transportation1 uses in this article

Overview

The Drain–Coos Bay stage line was a stagecoach line that operated an overland and marine transportation line that connected the interior of southern Oregon with Coos Bay from 1876 to 1916.

Ownership

The Drain–Coos Bay Stage Company had been organized by Capt. N. J. Cornwall, W. P. Jewett, and O. B. Hinsdale.

Drain to Scottsburg

A stage coach road was established In 1876 between Drain and Scottsburg. Horse-drawn coaches were in use on the route as late as February 27, 1907.

River travel to Gardiner and south beach

The Drain–Coos Bay Coach Line ran a free shuttle coach to carry passengers from the hotel to the Scottsburg steamboat landing. Travellers would then board a river steamer which ran downstream, stopping at Gardiner, on the north side of the river, or, for travellers going to Coos Bay, at the beach on the south side of the river, near the present town of Winchester Bay.

South Beach to Coos Bay

Once at the south beach, travellers disembarked and were picked up by another set of stages. Freight was also transhipped from boat to wagon. Ahead of them was a sandy beach, approximately 20 miles long running south toward Coos Bay. High tide at Tenmile Creek could make it impossible to cross. ) just north of Tenmile Creek, the schooner Novelty came ashore. The route then proceeded another 10 miles further south and then cut inland along a boardwalk about one mile long to Jarvis Landing Jarvis Landing was across the bay from Empire City on the east side of the north spit at the entrance to the bay. Once at Jarvis Landing, travellers could proceed by water transport to Empire City, by rowboat at first or later by steamboat or gasoline launch, to North Bend or Marshfield.

Use of automobiles

By March 27, 1915, automobiles were being used along the beach route.

Hazards along the route

On December 9, 1907, the stage left Jarvis Landing at about 6:20, and, upon reaching the beach, encountered water covering the beach from inches to three feet deep. A large wave came in, carrying a log with it; the log then struck the coach.

Termination of service

Stage service on the beach run between Winchester and Jarvis Landing ended in April 1916, when a railroad was completed linking Reedsport and Coos Bay.

References

* Historic Oregon Newspapers (large searchable digital collection)

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