Manzanita in July: History of Oregon Coast's 101 and Pirate-Themed Scavenger Hunt

Published 06/25/26 at 5:55 a.m.
By Oregon Coast Beach Connection Staff

(Manzanita, Oregon) - A fundraiser with a pirate theme? And on the Oregon coast? And then a trip down Highway 101 via 100 years of time travel? (Above: building of Highway 101 and the Neahkahnie Overlooks, courtesy ODOT)

Yes, please. History of the quirky little north coast burgh just got a lot more engaging. Two events dot the Nehalem Bay landscape this month that will be fun to fascinating.

The Pine Grove Community House will host the Magical Manzanita Scavenger Hunt on Thursday, July 9, offering a family-friendly afternoon of puzzles, exploration, and local discovery in downtown Manzanita.

The walking scavenger hunt runs from 2 to 4 p.m., beginning at Pine Grove Community House, 225 Laneda Avenue. Participants will follow clues, solve riddles, and search for hidden objects at landmarks and lesser-known spots around town. Along the way, teams can uncover bits of local history, art, and nature while competing for a selection of prizes.

Teams may include up to six people. Entry is $40 per team or $10 per individual, with single participants welcome to be placed on a team. Proceeds support the Pine Grove Community House, and additional donations are encouraged. The Pine Grove is an integral part of the north Oregon coast town and culture of the surrounding area.

Organizers describe the event as a self-paced adventure suitable for kids, adults, and anyone looking for a lighthearted way to explore Manzanita.

https://www.thepinegrove.org/. Questions may be directed to rickjacksong8r@gmail.com.

Mark your calendar for July 11: 100 years of Oregon coast's Highway 101 are coming this way.

Neahkahnie Viewpoint Provides Fun History, Unsolved Mystery on N. Oregon Coast Neahkahnie Viewpoint above Manzanita has been around almost 100 years, and there's a mystery

The Nehalem Valley Historical Society will mark the centennial of Highway 101 with a public talk on Saturday, July 11, highlighting the road’s transformation from an ambitious early-20th-century idea into the Oregon coast’s most essential transportation corridor.

In the '70s, Waldport's bridge (designed by McCullough, was blown up

The program begins at 3:30 p.m. at the North County Recreation District, 36155 9th Street in Nehalem. Megan Lallier-Barron, curator of the Oregon Historical Society’s “101 at 100” exhibit, will lead the presentation.

Highway 101 is widely regarded as one of the most significant infrastructure projects on the West Coast. A century ago, much of the Oregon shoreline was difficult to reach, and early efforts to fund a coastal route stalled when federal dollars fell through. Construction finally kicked into gear in the 1920s, with crews grading and paving the 400-mile route section by section. State bridge engineer Conde B. McCullough designed many of the highway’s landmark bridges, including the reinforced-concrete tied arches over the Wilson River, Big Creek and Ten Mile Creek - among the first of their kind in the nation when they opened in 1931.

Coos Bay's bridge under construction

He was also responsible for the masterpieces at Newport, Depoe Bay and Coos Bay.

The road was designated U.S. Highway 101 in 1926 and renamed the Oregon Coast Highway in 1931. In 2002, it earned National Scenic Byway and All-American Road status. These days, according to a 2024 Oregon Department of Transportation study, Tillamook County sees an annual average of more than 632,000 vehicles a day along its stretch of the route.

Admission to the July 11 event is $10 at the door, with proceeds supporting NVHS education programs.

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