Coos Bay's Mingus Building Latest Oregon Coast Landmark on National Historic Registry

Published 06/03/25 at 3:45 p.m.
By Oregon Coast Beach Connection Staff

(Coos Bay, Oregon) – One of the south Oregon coast's most-revered and yet still unknown buildings has snagged nationally-recognized historic status.

The Mingus Park Community Building in Coos Bay, known locally as the Scout Cabin, has been officially listed in the National Register of Historic Places. The designation, approved by the National Park Service in May 2025, recognizes the building's architectural significance as a rare example of Work Progress Administration (WPA)-constructed Rustic architecture in Oregon.

The building is at 850 W Park Roadway.

Originally designed by local teacher Clarence E. Landes and built by WPA workers between 1939 and 1940, the one-story structure stands along the northwest edge of Mingus Park. Crafted using locally sourced timber and quarry stone, the cabin features half-log siding, a Dutch gable roof, and a distinctive interior that includes a post-and-beam ceiling, a double-sided stone fireplace, and log benches. Despite minor modifications over the decades, the building remains one of Coos Bay's few surviving WPA projects.

Mingus Park

Beyond its architectural importance, the Mingus Park Community Building has long served as a gathering place for civic programs and recreational activities. Initially built as a meeting space for the Boy Scouts of America, the facility has hosted generations of scouting events, skill-building workshops, and community celebrations. It has also faced challenges, including vandalism and budget limitations, but local organizations and volunteers have worked to preserve the site's historic integrity.

The City of Coos Bay invites residents to celebrate the building's inclusion in the National Register with a special Cabin Celebration Day on June 28, from 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM.

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“Join generations of those who have cherished this building in honoring its long-standing community legacy,” said organizers with the city.

The listing of the Mingus Park Community Building in the National Register of Historic Places aligns with the objectives outlined in the 2024-2033 Oregon Preservation Plan, which prioritizes the protection and recognition of sites that contribute to the state’s architectural and cultural heritage. Overseen by the National Park Service, the National Register operates under the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, ensuring that historically significant properties receive formal recognition and opportunities for conservation.

Properties included in the National Register are acknowledged as important at the national, state, or local level. They are considered in the planning of federally funded or assisted projects, may qualify for federal tax incentives, and can receive preservation grants when funding is available. Additionally, sites listed in the register may benefit from flexibility in meeting certain building code requirements and fall under regulations designed to protect historic resources.

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Oregon law mandates that local governments provide a baseline level of protection for properties included in the National Register. The specific approach to preservation is determined at the municipal level, where local authorities have the power to establish and oversee historic districts and landmarks.

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