Reedsport, Oregon facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Reedsport, Oregon
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Umpqua Discovery Center in Reedsport
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| Nickname(s):
Gateway to the Dunes
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| Motto(s):
The Chainsaw Carving Capital of Oregon
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Location in Oregon
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| Country | United States |
| State | Oregon |
| County | Douglas |
| Incorporated | 1919 |
| Area | |
| • Total | 2.30 sq mi (5.96 km2) |
| • Land | 2.07 sq mi (5.36 km2) |
| • Water | 0.23 sq mi (0.60 km2) |
| Elevation | 3 ft (0.9 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 4,310 |
| • Density | 2,082.13/sq mi (803.89/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-8 (Pacific) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-7 (Pacific) |
| ZIP code |
97467
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| Area code(s) | 541 |
| FIPS code | 41-61300 |
| GNIS feature ID | 2410921 |
| Website | www.reedsport.or.us |
Reedsport is a small town located on the coast in Douglas County, Oregon, United States. It sits where the Umpqua River meets the ocean. In 2020, about 4,310 people lived there. Reedsport is known as the "Gateway to the Dunes" because it's close to the famous Oregon Dunes.
Contents
History of Reedsport
Reedsport was officially started on January 7, 1852, near the Umpqua River. It was named after Alfred W. Reed, who founded the town in 1912. The town's post office opened on July 17, 1912.
Early Days and Railroad
Before it became a town, Reedsport was a camp for workers building the Southern Pacific Railroad. This railroad helped the town grow a lot.
Dealing with Floods
Reedsport was built on marshy ground, so it often had floods. Many early buildings were built high off the ground to stay dry. After a very big flood in 1964, a protective wall called a dike was built. This dike helps keep the lower parts of the town safe from high water. During the 1964 flood, many smallmouth bass fish escaped from a hatchery into the Umpqua River. They became very common in the river after that!
From Timber to Tourism
For a long time, Reedsport's main industry was timber (wood). But in the late 1900s, the timber business slowed down. The big International Paper plant nearby closed in 1999.
Now, Reedsport is becoming a popular place for tourists. People come to fish in the Umpqua River. They also love the huge sand dunes nearby. Many businesses have opened to help people who enjoy riding all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) on the dunes.
Geography and Weather
Reedsport is located where two main roads meet: Oregon Route 38 and U.S. Route 101. It's about 3 miles (5 km) north of Winchester Bay.
Area and Climate
The town covers about 2.31 square miles (5.98 square kilometers). Most of this area is land, with a small part being water.
Reedsport has a rainy Mediterranean climate. This means it has mild, dry summers and mild, very wet winters. It doesn't get too hot or too cold. Temperatures rarely go above 90°F (32°C) or below freezing (32°F/0°C). The wettest month on record was November 1973, with over 26 inches (660 mm) of rain!
| Climate data for Reedsport, OR | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Record high °F (°C) | 67 (19) |
75 (24) |
77 (25) |
90 (32) |
96 (36) |
92 (33) |
95 (35) |
97 (36) |
97 (36) |
93 (34) |
73 (23) |
69 (21) |
97 (36) |
| Mean daily maximum °F (°C) | 50.4 (10.2) |
53.8 (12.1) |
55.4 (13.0) |
58.3 (14.6) |
62.4 (16.9) |
66.2 (19.0) |
69.5 (20.8) |
70.2 (21.2) |
70.0 (21.1) |
64.6 (18.1) |
56.2 (13.4) |
51.6 (10.9) |
60.7 (15.9) |
| Mean daily minimum °F (°C) | 36.7 (2.6) |
38.6 (3.7) |
38.6 (3.7) |
40.8 (4.9) |
44.5 (6.9) |
48.5 (9.2) |
50.8 (10.4) |
51.5 (10.8) |
49.4 (9.7) |
45.8 (7.7) |
41.3 (5.2) |
38.6 (3.7) |
43.8 (6.6) |
| Record low °F (°C) | 13 (−11) |
17 (−8) |
25 (−4) |
26 (−3) |
31 (−1) |
31 (−1) |
37 (3) |
41 (5) |
31 (−1) |
27 (−3) |
22 (−6) |
11 (−12) |
11 (−12) |
| Average rainfall inches (mm) | 12.26 (311) |
9.48 (241) |
9.48 (241) |
5.38 (137) |
3.20 (81) |
2.07 (53) |
0.57 (14) |
1.03 (26) |
2.55 (65) |
5.84 (148) |
10.94 (278) |
12.93 (328) |
75.73 (1,923) |
| Average snowfall inches (cm) | 1.2 (3.0) |
0.2 (0.51) |
0.1 (0.25) |
0 (0) |
0 (0) |
0 (0) |
0 (0) |
0 (0) |
0 (0) |
0 (0) |
0 (0) |
0.3 (0.76) |
1.8 (4.6) |
| Average rainy days (≥ 0.01 inch) | 21 | 18 | 20 | 16 | 13 | 9 | 4 | 5 | 8 | 13 | 18 | 21 | 166 |
Population of Reedsport
| Historical population | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1920 | 850 | — | |
| 1930 | 1,178 | 38.6% | |
| 1940 | 1,421 | 20.6% | |
| 1950 | 2,288 | 61.0% | |
| 1960 | 2,998 | 31.0% | |
| 1970 | 4,039 | 34.7% | |
| 1980 | 4,984 | 23.4% | |
| 1990 | 4,796 | −3.8% | |
| 2000 | 4,378 | −8.7% | |
| 2010 | 4,154 | −5.1% | |
| 2020 | 4,310 | 3.8% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
People in Reedsport
In 2010, Reedsport had 4,154 people living in 1,948 homes. About 1 in 5 homes had children under 18. Many people were married couples. The average age of people in Reedsport was about 51 years old.
Fun Places to Visit
Reedsport has many interesting places to explore, especially if you love nature or unique events.
Chainsaw Sculpting Championships
Since 2000, Reedsport has hosted the Oregon Divisional Chainsaw Sculpting Championships. Artists from all over the world come to carve amazing sculptures using chainsaws! It's held every year around Father's Day Weekend.
Umpqua Discovery Center
The Umpqua Discovery Center is right in downtown Reedsport, next to the Umpqua River. It's a great place to learn about the area's natural history and culture. There are interactive displays and fun exhibits.
Dean Creek Wildlife Area
Just a short drive east of Reedsport, you'll find the Dean Creek Wildlife Area. This huge nature preserve is home to 60 to 100 Roosevelt elk. You can often see these amazing animals in their natural home all year round.
Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area
The Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area has an interpretive center in Reedsport. Here, you can watch short films and find out more about the local area. It's a great starting point before exploring the famous sand dunes.
Loon Lake
If you like lakes, Loon Lake is about 15 miles (24 km) southeast of Reedsport. It's a beautiful spot for outdoor activities.
Cipher Hunt
In 2016, Alex Hirsch, the creator of the Disney show Gravity Falls, started a worldwide scavenger hunt called Cipher Hunt. Fans looked for a real-life statue of the show's villain, Bill Cipher. The statue was found in the woods near Reedsport Community Charter School! It has since moved to other locations, including Bicentennial Park and Confusion Hill.
Schools in Reedsport
Reedsport has its own school district. It includes Highland Elementary School and Reedsport Community Charter School.
Notable People
Some well-known people have connections to Reedsport:
- Jason Boe, a politician
- Wally Borrevik, a professional basketball player
- Delilah Rene Luke, a famous radio personality
- Vicki Walker, a politician
Images for kids
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A railway bridge crosses the Umpqua River near Reedsport.
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Reedsport City Hall
See also
In Spanish: Reedsport para niños
