Praying for Those in Authority: Coos County

Oregon Myrtle Tree

Instead of the thorn shall come up the cypress tree, And instead of the brier shall come up the myrtle tree; And it shall be to the Lord for a name, For an everlasting sign that shall not be cut off. Isaiah 55:13

Coos County is in the southern coast region, not quite in the lowest corner of the state. The county is named after the local Indian tribe and the word Coos means “lake” or “place of pines.” The county seat is Coquille, which means “shell” in French. The first fur trappers showed up around 1826. The first settlement, by members of the Coos Bay Company, was in 1853 at what was first called Empire City. That location is now part of the city of Coos Bay, a portion of the waterfront. This location was also once the very old Coos Indian village of Hanisitch. Empire City was the first county seat, but in 1895 the legislature allowed the voters to decide, and Coquille was chosen.

Coos County, Oregon

The population is about 65,000 spread over 1806 square miles. The economy is sustained by forest products, tourism, fishing and agriculture. This part of Oregon is known for the unique myrtle tree and the manufacture of myrtle wood products. Other industries include boating, dairy farming, shipbuilding and specialty agricultural products such as cranberries.

Coos Bay (the bay) continues to be fascinating and sometimes in the news. It is the best natural harbor between San Francisco Bay and Portland, could potentially be a major international seaport and is apparently taking steps to become one. Efforts are currently being made to expand its capacity and to create what will be known as the Pacific Coast Internodal Port.

Along with the settlers who arrived in the 1850s came circuit riders and ministers. The Christian Church group had a congregation of about 20 by 1871 in Coquille. They had to make do with whatever building they could use, however. One of the founders, T.M. Morgan, wrote in 1877 that the church numbered around 50, most of whom were female, and “poor in the goods of this world, but I trust, so at least, are rich in faith and hope.” He also noted that they had to meet in an “uncomfortable school house,” and were often shut out of it just when there was some important meeting. Apparently juggling schedules did not always go smoothly. By 1888 they were meeting in a different building, a borrowed church of another denomination, and by 1891 they were laying the foundation for their own church. A visiting evangelist from California, C.R. Comb, dedicated the new building in 1892. This building grew with later additions, but eventually was replaced with a newer one in a different location in Coquille. The old structure became a private residence and continues to be lived in while the congregation is still active at their new location. (Thanks to Church History: Coastal Communities, Oregon (ncbible.org)

The three County Commissioners are Bob Main, John Sweet, and Rod Taylor. Sheriff Gabriel Fabrizio is the new sheriff elected in 2022 to replace long-time Sheriff Craig Zanni. The Assessor is Steven Jansen with Julie A. Brecke the County Clerk and Paul Frasier the District Attorney.