COQUILLE—A CITY OF HOME OWNERS
____________________
While the site occupied by Coquille was settled
in the early part ot 1871, |t was platted as a city
in 1872 by Titus B. Willard, one of the early day
settler* and after whom a tract of land or city addi­
tion and a street were named, who decided that it
was time for the settlement to take on the mote
stately appearance and name of ‘•City.*’ Hove ver,
it was not until Feb. 25, 1885, that it was incorpor­
ated as a city.
The position of Coquille with reference to area
of Coo* county give* it just right to the designation,
nf Coo* I County,"
'zwmtv ” ’ tor it
It <•
“Hub of
is nrAJ'H/*Al1v
practically" in tht>
the
center of the court ty.’witluimpi
improved state highway*
running north and south >nd
When first settled. Coquil le, then spelled Co­
building and a log
near the present
who
Co­
who came
came
quille as a boy of
eclares that there
are living today none of the early day residents or
those who settled here at about the time he first
saw the light of day. However, there are as resi­
dent* of Coquille today, and noted among the oldest
of the settlers of the locality, three women, whose
parent* resided just outside the city limits of Co­
quille, these being Mr*. Sarah Watson, Mr*. Albert
Miller and Mr*. Sarah Walker.
Upon the organization of Coquille a* a munici­
pality. the late Nick Lorenz, father of Henry, George
and Edward (Nick) Lorenz, all of Coquille, was se­
lected a* the first mayor, after the charter had been
changed to provide for election of mayor by the
voters, instead of chairman elected by council mem­
bers
It might be interesting to the seeker of early
day history to mention here
‘
■re that the first postoffice,
known a* Coquelle, was established
<
‘ by the
‘_________
'ederal
government in the early part of 1871, and Titus B.
Willard was the first postmaster. However, he held
the office only a short time.
From the time of it* incorporation until 1898,
when the county seat was removed to Coquille from
Empire, the city was merely a mediocre town. Be-
____ coming the county seat put Coquille “on the Inap"
in a definite way,- and while it* growth was steady,
still it was of such a nature as to leave no question
as to its permanency and substantiality, until today,
It stands before the country with the brightest out­
look a* a locality for industrial progress unheralded
or predicted in southwestern Oregoci.
rs:s
I p
.
.
> E !
-
■■■
Coquille ha* maintained it* councilmanic or­
ganization since it* incorporation, and today a
^and six councilmen carry on the arduous
of affairs pertaining to a city of more than
4,500 inhabitants, thus growing from 2736, the fed­
eral census in 1830, or nearly sixty-six and two-
third* per cent in less than seven year*. And, ac­
cording to the best authority, this growth will, in
all probability, continue for the next two or three
years, until it is believed that it will reach more
than 5.500. This belief is based on the tentative
Clan* for not only enlargement of present industries,
ut also for proposed new industries and enlarge­
ment of logging operation* in the contiguous area to
Coquille.
The following facts concerning Coquille at the
present time will doubtless prove entertaining, not
only to those seeking such information, but also to
resident* who are not aware of just what goes to
make up their city’s administration:
Total street mileage, 14.3.
Paved streets, 8.08 mile*.
Two city water reservoir* with 500,000 gallons
capacity.
Rink creek water storage supply, 38.000,000
gallons.
Daily average consumption, 300,000 gallon*
_ , *,ter to from a gravity system from Rink and
Walker creeks, a few miles from the city, and quite
frequent tests by the Oregon Stat* Board of Health
show the water quality to be A grade, practically
free from bacteria.
Mileage of water mains, 8.
u
Mileage of sewer system, 6. The sewerage is
disposed of at tidewater in the Coquille river.
Fire department consists of 16 volunteer mem­
bers, with chief appointed annually by the mayor.
The membership is maintained consistently at this
number, and through regular practice, with the
study of latest methods of fire fighting and first aid,
the firemen have been able to keep all fire losses at
■ minimum as well as avoiding any serious casual­
ties. Fire department headquarters are maintained
in the city hall, where the two pressure tank and
hose auto truck* are kept in rvadiness for any call,
day or night. At the present time plan* are in con­
templation for remodeling of the city hall, to per­
mit of housing accommodations for such firemen as
have no permanent home ties
and
would
welcome the opportunity to room near the fire ap­
paratus so as to be available for immediate re-
sponse to any call for their service*.
The police department consists of three mem­
bers, a city marshal and two deputies, all appointed
by the mayor and confirmed by the council.
The city has two weekly newspapers,
..............
- ■ established
blished in ISM
Valley -
Sentinel,
1898 and the
publication in Coos county, and the Coquille
Tribune.
Area of city, 1.083 square mile*
Altitude, 18 feet above sea level.
Parks, Patterson grove, Athletic park, Com­
munity park, and Dutch John creek of three acre*.
The chief item in the city’s census of property
is it* water system, valued at between *250,000 and
*300,000. Its city hall consists of a substantial two-
story brick building in the main business section,
with jail in basement, city offices, council chamber
and fire department quarters on first floor, and li­
brary on the second floor,-----
Assessed valuation of city, *1,126,055.00.
Tax rate, 23 mills in city only. Total for state,
S
county, city, schools, port, etc., 72.5 mill*.
Churches, 10, with leading denomination* rep­
resented.
Hotels, 2.
Railroads, 1.
Passenger stage lines, 1.
Truck lines, 1 through, and several local serv­
ing Coos, Curry and Douglas counties.
Hospitals, 2, with tentative plans for a third.
School system consists of three buildings, High,
Junior high and grade.
Library, 1, maintained by city tax and appro­
priations by service organizations.
Theatres, 1, with second being erected by the
owners of the present one.
Rainfall, 60 inches average.
Telephone system; two telegraphic system*.
Electric system, supplying the cities and fann
fartn-
­
ing communities
ities of the Coquille Valley
. from Pow-
era through to Bandon, not only with current far
lighting, but also power for every purpose.