Port of Port Orford

The Port of Port Orford harbor that has been in use since the 1850s, and was primarily used for shipping lumber. The first Port District was formed in 1911 and dock construction began in 1919. A breakwater was built in 1971 in an attempt to protect the dock from winter storms. Shoaling became a problem shortly after and dredging became necessary. Although no longer a deep harbor, Port Orford is still home to many commercial fisherman and is used as a harbor of refuge by many during severe storms.

A History

1853 – First load of lumber shipped from Port Orford, introducing Port Orford Cedar to the American Lumber Industry. Lumber was loaded on vessels by small crafts and barges.

 

1854 – Wharf used by US Army, recorded by Army Col. Joseph Mansfield in official report.

 

1856 – 1439 Indigenous Survivors of the Rogue War, 1855-1856, removed on SS Columbia. Port wharf was used to supply US Army Post before and during the Rogue War.

 

1856-1911 – Small Wharf owned and maintained by various private individuals and companies, for purposes of limited shipping, incoming mercantile and fishing

 

1880’s – Port Orford Cedar Co. constructed a pier at Hubbard’s Creek to load lumber from their mill located there. Storms eventually destroyed the pier. Later the mill was bought by Crawford and Wilbur and moved to a site north of Port Orford.

 

Early 1900’s – Lumber loading apparatus established on Fort Point, first owned by Pacific Lumber and Furniture Co. In 1917, Fife and Wilson, backed by Moore Mill, bought and improved the loader for better efficiency and increased production.

 

1911 – First Port Orford port district formed, narrowly voted in by taxpayers.

 

1911-1921 – Improvements to the wharf allowed for limited shipping of lumber.

 

1921-1923 – The wharf/dock was enlarged and reworked, improving log and lumber shipment.

 

1923 – The 405 foot Norwegian Vessel, SS Frogner, loaded lumber. During the same year, various vessels made 65 trips to this port loading logs, lumber and discharging freight. Loading lumber from the dock much more efficient. Fife and Wilson go bankrupt.

 

1928 – Cannery opens owned by Port Orford Fish Co.

 

1934 – Port Commission sells dock to Gilbert Gable and partners. Port lumbering activities peaked in the late 1920’s, but steadily declined, convincing commissioners to sell.

 

1935 – Graveyard Point blasted to obtain rock for short breakwater. Storms and weather still wreak havoc to doc and breakwater.

 

1935-1942 – Log, lumber shipments and commercial fishing continue.

 

1942 – Shipping of lumber and logs discontinued, commercial fishing, crabbing and cannery continue

 

1942-1949 – Dock bought and owned by various people, including Port Orford Lumber Co., H. S. McDuffee, Collier Buffington and Howard Boice

 

1949 – Edward Kaakinen builds and opens new cannery. Later Kaakinen buys dock.

 

1957 – Post Commission bought back dock, commercial fishing, crabbing and cannery continue

 

1959 – After 17 years, export of lumber resumes for a couple years by the FSP Lumber and Ocean View Lumber companies.

 

1961 – Dock collapsed with a million board feet of lumber on deck. Dock rebuilt.

New images of the Port of Port Orford are being scanned for posterity. Below are the most recent additions to our archive. You can read more about the history of the Port of Port Orford at the Port of Port Orford website.

ABOVE: The Port Orford Dock as it appeared from the air in September 1960. The breakwater which Port Orford port commissioners wanted the government to rebuild is just out of sight, at bottom of the picture. At a hearing, the port asked for funds for reconstruction of breakwater. They planned to extend the dock about 200 feet outward (to right) earlier in that year as means of getting back into the lumber-shipping business. (Photographer: Ackroyd Photography)

Many more images of the Port of Port Orford can be found in our Maritime collection.