4A • August 12, 2016 | Cannon Beach Gazette | cannonbeachgazette.com
Views from the Rock
A taste of Chicago in Manzanita
J
im Mudd knows his Chicago dogs:
on, slathered with sauerkraut and mustard —
Vienna all-beef frank, sesame seed
was just too great.
bun, sliced tomatoes, pickle strips
In L.A., friends told me Pinks was the
place to go for most dog-lovers (“Number
and even the secret ingredient: celery
one in California”), but frankly, they didn’t
salt. I know this because I once had
really wow me. Yes, I liked the room on
a Chicago dog party with these same
ingredients, ordered direct from Vienna Beef
Sunset, with the old train motif, but no, it
Products and delivered to my home in dry ice.
wasn’t a Chicago dog. They could do Philly
I fi red up the Weber gas grill and cooked
Cheesesteaks like they make in Philadelphia
them to perfection, spiked with fork tines
at Great Western on Venice Boulevard, but
to let the dogs breathe and the juices sizzle,
the Chicago dog was not an option.
slightly blackened to perfection.
My son, Sam, took me to Zach’s Shack on
Let’s put it this way: it was a huge hit,
Hawthorne in Portland. Their Chicago dog is
even vegans slammed them down — albeit
excellent. Nick’s Coney Island makes “good
without the frank.
dogs,” Sam tells me, but while they say their
One of the guests was headed to Club Fed
do Chicago dogs on their site, “the ingredi-
for a federal crime — a Ponzi scheme in which
ents are wrong. Zach’s is legit.”
he netted a paltry $2 million. Little did we know
I think Tsunami Dog in Seaside serves the
at that event as he chugged
best frank in town, but
down dog after dog that this,
while you can get the
he felt, was his last meal
“Kite-Flyer,” “Highway
CANNON SHOTS
before his departure. I had
101” and “The Bonfi re,”
purchased about 72 hot dogs R.J. MARX
the Chi-town connection
and 24 Polish sausages (a
is lacking. So that brings
misnomer, really, fatter than
me to some good news for
the hot dogs, but not a Polish
the local hot-dog purist.
kielbasa as many know it) — and thought I
Jim Mudd has dedicated himself to the
would have enough for the 22 guests. Our fe-
Chicago dog. That’s all he sells at Mudd Dog
lonious friend, however, devoured the hot dogs
Stand in Manzanita. Set back in a courtyard on
with such gusto that other guests started com-
Laneda near the beach, Mudd celebrates the
plaining they weren’t “getting enough Polish.”
Chicago dog with devotion, manning the cart as
He ended up, I think, eating about eight of
his wife Lynn pitches in.
the dogs and four of the Polish. Considering
It would be enough for Mudd to stand
that he wouldn’t be eating any more for three
proud as the Sears Tower of hot dogs carts, but
to fi ve years was some solace, I liked to think
he’s got an even loftier side. Mudd is aboard
I gave him something to look back on as he
member and co-founder of the Mudd Nick
served his time.
Foundation, a charitable organization for kids.
Chicago dogs can do that to people. As a
Arts and humanities, science, technology,
kid in the suburbs of Chicago I was a veteran
engineering and math, higher education and
of Stash’s Place, a pioneer of the
careers, camps, literacy, sports, community,
genre. These were different
children with special needs and talent-
than the fl at-dogs you would
ed and gifted — all are supported
get at the Woolworth’s
by the foundation, whose
counter on a buttered bun.
programs are described as
Instead, the buns were soft
“learning experiences that
without being too bready,
stimulate children to aspire
the sport peppers sharp and
to their greatest potential
biting and a little too risqué for
and pursue their dreams.”
a 10-year-old, and the Polish sausage
The foundation supports
serving as a template for all hot dogs to come.
camp and after-school programs
Since that time I order Chicago dogs
that don’t receive tax dollars.
wherever I see that signature sign.
“We founded it 25 years ago,” Mudd said,
In New York they just didn’t get it. I don’t
over hot dogs.
think they ever knew how to do a Chicago
Mudd and Doug Nicholson, friends since
dog, and I scoured the fi ve boroughs and
their days at Oregon State University, decided
suburbs. I think their allegiance to the “dirty
to start a coed golf tournament in 1990, which
water” dog — served in a Sabrett steam wag-
they christened the Mudd Nick Invitational.
R.J. MARX/CANNON BEACH GAZETTE
Jim Mudd serves up a culinary classic.
In 2006, the Mudd Nick Foundation was
formed as a 501(c)(3) nonprofi t and a board of
nine directors was selected to develop a mission.
Over the last nine years, more than $1
million has been raised to support 30 to 50
programs every year.
A former Bridgestone executive, Mudd and
his family “moved all over the coast.”
“When we retired, we came out here,” he
said. “This was my parents’ home. Since this
is the last chapter of my life, I thought what
can I do to help? I thought we could open a
hot-dog stand, a Chicago-deal like I’ve eaten
all my life, and we’d draw people in and
we’d talk about the Mudd Nick Foundation.”
It worked. The hot dogs draw people in,
and Mudd spreads the word. With interna-
tional visitors to the Coast, Mudd has attract-
ed donations from people around the world.
“It’s been a great ride,” he said.
Th e early days in Tolovana Park
L
ike Cannon Beach, Tolova-
na Park didn’t see home-
steaders until the late 1800s.
The area was opened to land
claims as early as 1889. In the
1890s, Rudolph and Emma Bartels
established a homestead in the
Tolovana Park area. They took the
road that many who ended up here
at the time did. According to the
accounts of early Cannon Beach
residents and visitors, the trip by
steamboat to Astoria was quite a
harrowing journey on windy days.
Once the Rudolphs arrived in
Astoria, they took the train as far
south as they could go — Seaside.
The fi nal leg of their journey could
have been made by wagon, on
horseback, or by foot. The Ru-
dolphs came by foot from Seaside.
At the time, the road from Cannon
Beach to Seaside was little more
than a muddy trail.
The Rudolphs weren’t alone
on their desire to make their claim
on a piece of ocean view paradise.
William and Emma Warren made a
homestead claim on a 160 acres of
land just south of Cannon Beach in
1891. They “proved up” the claim
on June 11, 1897. The homestead
certifi cate was signed by President
William McKinley and hung at
the entrance of the Warren House
REFLECTIONS
ELAINE TRUCKE
Pub for many years (who knows, it
might still be there.)
The Homestead Act of 1862
stated that “any U.S. citizen, or
intended citizen, who had never
borne arms against the U.S. Gov-
ernment could fi le an application
and lay claim to 160 acres of
surveyed Government land. For
the next fi ve years, the home-
steader had to live on the land and
improve it by building a 12-by-14
dwelling and growing crops. After
fi ve years, the homesteader could
fi le for his patent (or deed of title)
by submitting proof of residency
and the required improvements
to a local land offi ce.” This was
referred to as “proving up on it.”
William’s brother, Mark,
proved his claim in 1900 by build-
ing a cabin where the Wayside
State Park now resides. The
combined land claims were later
developed and named Tolovana
Park. According to Emma Warren,
this was translated as “river
of sticks.” Both of the Warren
brothers spent a great deal of time
in Alaska and named the streets of
Tolovana after rivers in Alaska.
The Brallier family was anoth-
er prominent family to settle here
in the late 1800s. Brothers Jacob
and Frank Brallier moved to the
Astoria and Warrenton area prior
to 1870, but the beautiful views,
towering Spruce and Cedar trees,
and the open land drew them to
the Tolovana Park area. Frank
“proved-up” his 160-acre claim
in February of 1897. Jacob’s 160-
acre claim was “proved-up” just a
few years later, in 1900.
It wasn’t until the early 1900s
that Tolovana started to really take
shape. On Feb. 9, 1898, Frank fi led
a plat for the Sylvan Park devel-
opment, the fi rst development in
Tolovana. The Warren brothers
weren’t far behind. In July of 1906,
the brothers platted the Hay Stack
Rock Park area, which is just south
of where the Tolovana Inn is now.
The brothers also constructed the
Warren Hotel. The hotel, which
was located where the Tolovana
Inn is now, was constructed in 1911
and boasted 16 rooms with indoor
running water. One of the fi rst regis-
tered guests was Oregon Governor
Oswald West. Eight cabins were
added at a later date. The hotel had
The Mudd Nick Foundation celebrates its
27th annual fundraiser in September. The
pre-golf tournament dinner takes place Sept.
16, followed by the foundation’s annual
charity golf tournament at Manzanita Golf
Course. The annual dinner will be held the
next day. They probably won’t be serving
hot dogs.
Mudd Dogs is located at 58 Laneda in
Manzanita; open six days a week. Note the
fi ve-star rating on TripAdvisor.
Jim Mudd is a role model — a guy who’s
doing what he loves to do and sharing it with
the world. This is every man’s fantasy. Once
you’ve tired of world travel, beautiful women
and fast cars, you want to settle in to a com-
fortable perch behind a hot-dog cart.
Bon appetit!
For more about the Muddnick Foundation
and Jim Mudd, visit muddnickfoundation.org.
LETTERS
Citizens’ voices still must be heard
many distinct features, but one was
a beautifully constructed fi replace
created by local Paul Bartels.
The Warren family was indus-
trious. They started the Warren
Lumber Company and built a
small sawmill in Tolovana Park.
In the 1920s, the brothers also
added the Warren Auto Camp just
north of the Warren Hotel. They
even managed to start and later
sell a water company!
In 1978, during an oral history
interview Paul Bartels laughingly
tells the story of one of the Warren
brothers riding a bull into the
Warren Hotel lobby. Whether as a
joke, or a drunken antic, the story of
lobby guests running in fright of the
one of the brothers astride a large
bull was one for the record books.
The challenges of reaching
Cannon Beach and Tolovana Park
made those who reached here,
stayed here, lived here, strong:
strong with the most important
quality, a sense of humor. Over the
decades getting to Cannon Beach
and Tolovana became easier to
travel. The area saw more visitors
and long-time residents, but that
feeling of place has remained.
Stay tuned for more on the his-
tory of Tolovana Park, the Warren
family, and the Woodfi elds.
I am writing this open letter to Mayor
Sam Steidel, the Cannon Beach City Council
and City Manager Brant Kucera. It is time
that our city manager leaves his offi ce,
leaves his door open and pays a visit to all
the business owners in Cannon Beach. Also,
make time to seek out and talk to people who
have lived here or would like to know our
city manager.
Cannon Beach is slowly becoming an-
other Seaside. What happened to our title of
being the “Carmel” of the North Coast?
It was great that our tax money was ded-
icated to a survey that made little sense, nor
did it pertain to our community. I am glad the
gentleman, who owns the company, was able
to put together the strategic plan and gave us
45 minutes of time explaining his accom-
plishments of strategic studies in other cities.
One example was about Las Vegas. Maybe
we are becoming like a mini Las Vegas!
Very few people that I have talked to felt
this plan was the answer to solving the prob-
lems that were listed. We need to have com-
munity meetings — as many as needed — to
cover all those that own businesses, property
owners and renters in Cannon Beach. Let us
have a chance to express concerns, ideas and
visions for the future so we can continue to
be the “Carmel” of the North Coast and not
the second Seaside or a mini Las Vegas. I
understand the council approved the plan; so
be it. I still feel the voices must be heard.
Molly H. Edison
Cannon Beach
Design review committees for all?
SUBMITTED PHOTO
Th e Warren Hotel, an early lodging in Tolovana Park.
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I think that every community in Clat-
sop County should have their own design
review committees.
There should be one for Olney,
Elsie, Jewell, Lewis & Clark, Burnside,
Svensen, Knappa, Brownsmead, Surf
Pines, The Highlands, Sunset Beach,
Cullaby Lake, Tolovana Park, Pinehurst,
Smith Lake, Clatsop Plains, Delmoor
Loop and probably a few more that I
forgot.
This would only be fair, because, after
all the people in Arch Cape are no more
special and deserving of their own com-
mittee than the rest of us.
Hugh McKenna
Warrenton
THE NATIONAL AWARD-WINNING