Cannon Beach, Oregon
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Cannon Beach is a city located in Clatsop County, Oregon. Originally named Ecola, after the creek that empties into the Pacific Ocean to the north of the community, it was renamed in 1922 to Cannon Beach (the name of the beach that extends south of Ecola creek for eight miles until ending at Arch Cape) at the insistence of the US Post Office because the name was frequently confused with Eola. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 1,588.
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Transportation
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While cars are everywhere in Cannon Beach, they are not the best mode of transportation within downtown. Parking spots can be difficult to find, especially in the summer months of tourist season. Most of the business district is easily accessible within walking distance of any parking spot. Biking is also a popular way to get around, as bikes can be used on not only the beach, but also to get around town.
A shuttle also runs from the north of Cannon Beach to the south, helping tourists get from the business district back to their resort or vacation rental, and vice versa.
History
The first recorded American or British journey to this area was made by William Clark, one of the leaders of the Lewis and Clark Expedition in January, 1805, when a group of Native Americans invited him to view a beached whale at the nearby beach.
The beach received its name after a cannon from the US Navy schooner Shark washed ashore there in 1846. The schooner was wrecked while attempting to cross the Columbia Bar, also known as the "Graveyard of the Pacific" because of the danger of the bar. The name eventually stuck, and today the town takes its names from that famous cannon. It can be seen alongside U.S. Highway 101.
Cannon Beach is an affluent resort town; for a period in the 1980s, its principal gas station had a sign made from stained glass. Although locals and non-resident house owners have rented their houses to tourists, this practice has been the cause of much conflict. Until 1987, it was illegal to rent ones house for less than 14 days in the residential parts of Cannon Beach.
When the rules were loosened, in response to the recognition that they were being widely ignored, complaints of litter, traffic and noise over the next five years forced the city council to once again tighten the rules, although over 100 exceptions for short-term rentals were granted, at first for a period of five years, but since then most have been renewed, and will not expire until January 1, 2005. Wrangling over this practice still continues between renting and non-renting residents, most recently with a special election scheduled for March 8, 2005 concerning the latest compromise the city council has hammered out.
Geography
Cannon Beach is located at 45°53'21" North, 123°57'39" West (45.889155, -123.960738)Template:GR.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 3.9 km² (1.5 mi²). 3.9 km² (1.5 mi²) of it is land and none of the area is covered with water.
Demographics
As of the censusTemplate:GR of 2000, there are 1,588 people, 710 households, and 418 families residing in the city. The population density is 411.5/km² (1,066.8/mi²). There are 1,641 housing units at an average density of 425.2/km² (1,102.4/mi²). The racial makeup of the city is 92.57% White, 0.19% African American, 0.88% Native American, 0.31% Asian, 0.00% Pacific Islander, 3.27% from other races, and 2.77% from two or more races. 10.52% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There are 710 households out of which 20.8% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.0% are married couples living together, 7.3% have a female householder with no husband present, and 41.0% are non-families. 33.5% of all households are made up of individuals and 13.0% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.11 and the average family size is 2.70.
In the city the population is spread out with 17.4% under the age of 18, 12.3% from 18 to 24, 21.5% from 25 to 44, 32.1% from 45 to 64, and 16.7% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 44 years. For every 100 females there are 86.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 84.4 males.
The median income for a household in the city is $39,271, and the median income for a family is $45,329. Males have a median income of $31,250 versus $21,641 for females. The per capita income for the city is $24,465. 12.0% of the population and 8.2% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 16.3% of those under the age of 18 and 2.1% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.
City Landmarks
Cannon Beach is recognized by its well-known landmark, Haystack Rock, located to the southwest of downtown Cannon Beach, near Tolovana Park. This igneous rock has an elevation of 327 feet, and is often accessible at low tide, especially in the summertime. There is a small cave system that penetrates the rock and can be seen from the coastline. The rock is also protected as a marine sanctuary.
Near Haystack Rock are the Needles, two tall rocks rising straight out of the water. Together with Haystack Rock, the Needles create a photogenic panorama that is even more appealing during a sunset over the Pacific Ocean.
Downtown Cannon Beach is filled with small businesses. Chain stores such as Safeway and McDonalds have been discouraged from building in Cannon Beach in order to preserve the local economy and small town feel.
The main drag through Cannon Beach is Hemlock Street, which runs from the north end of town to the south, through Tolovana Park. Both ends of the street connect to US Highway 101. The separation of the highway and the town's main street help ensure that the highway doesn't get bogged down with intercity traffic and the town doesn't have endure the trucks and tourist traffic.
Local Legend
A not too well known local legend in Cannon Beach is the Bandage Man, a spirit said to haunt the highway outside of the town. The Bandage Man is said to leap onto the backs of passing cars and kill the passengers.
He is also said to eat dogs and people say he smells of rotting flesh. No one is quite sure where he came from but the most popular theory seems to be that he is the spirit of a man that died in a accident in the old mill and sucks out other people's spirit's to survive.
Most visitors to Cannon Beach have never heard of this myth, and most would probably laugh it off as local humor.
External links
- Photographs of Cannon Beach (http://avilleneuve.photosite.com/cannonbeach/)
- Cannon Beach Oregon (http://firsttravelweb.org/id45.htm)