Cutler District Historic Summary

The area now known as Cutler City was originally a beautiful estuary, full of huckleberries, rhododendrons and pine trees. George Parmele and his family homesteaded in the nearby community of Johnson, up Drift Creek, in 1896. Mr. Parmele built the first sawmill on Drift Creek in 1905, just east of the present site of Cutler City.

The first white people to own land in the present town site were Mr. and Mrs. George Cutler of Dallas, Oregon. The Cutlers, who had moved to the area around 1900, thought the area was a good site for future development. They purchased the property that would become Cutler City from Charlie Depoe, a Native American allotment holder, in 1913.

Later in 1913, Cutler City became the third town site in North Lincoln County as approved by the County Court.  The emerging town quickly became known as Gibbs Point when George Cutler sold an acre of land to Mr. Frank D. Gibbs of Portland. In 1913, Mr. Gibbs erected a summer home, the first house built by a white man in Cutler City. The name Gibbs Point was given to the area because the Gibbs house was the first to be built in the area and was the only landmark for some time.

Some time later in 1913, the Cutlers built a small cabin southwest of where the Bay House is now located. Soon after the erection of the cabin, Mrs. Cutler became ill and they returned to their home near Dallas. Mr. Cutler died that same year. Arthur George Cutler, his son, inherited the property and later sold lots during his summer visits to the area and assisted the community by donating land for public use.

One of the first families to settle permanently in the town was the Matt Kangas family. In 1905 Sissie and Jakie Johnson sold them 80 acres. The Kangas land was just south of the Cutler’s. Matt Kangas and his family moved to Drift Creek and started a dairy in 1919. Their dairy barn is still a Cutler City landmark today.

Cutler City continued to be sparsely populated during the early part of the twentieth century due to the lack of usable roads. Cutler City was inaccessible for many years. Before a swinging bridge was constructed further east across Schooner Creek, the area was reached by horse, horse and wagon, by boat or by just wading across at low tide. Due to the high rock landscape, the pioneers were unable to cut a road through.

With the completion of the Salmon River Cut-Off and the Coast Highway in the late 1920s, a surge in automobile travel brought visitors as well as settlers to the area by the hundreds. The popularity of auto camping soared during the 1920s and 1930s. Cutler City had one of the best Auto Parks around, the Siletz Bay Auto Camp, complete with an arch that welcomed visitors and provided a gateway into Cutler City. 

On March 10, 1930, the town officially became Cutler City when a post office named in honor of the Cutlers was established. Its residents, who had been working to that end for some time, greeted the news with jubilation.

The area made slow but steady progress during the 1930s, despite the Great Depression. Land sold for approximately $300.00 for a 50’x100' lot with no improvements.

With the arrival of new residents, new businesses began to spring up as well. Among early businesses is one that survives today, the Crab Pot, located on the west side of the highway. From its earliest days the Crab Pot was much appreciated for its reasonably priced fresh seafood and huge, delectable crab. It was and is one of those businesses that appeal to residents and visitors, alike, offering friendly service and coastal charm.

The North Lincoln Rhododendron Society was organized in 1938 at Nelscott for the purpose of preserving as many wild rhododendron shrubs as possible throughout north Lincoln County. Cutler City, with the most abundant plants, was selected as its Rhododendron Capital. Rhododendron Days and May Festivals of Beauty were held annually from 1938 to 1941 to celebrate the blooming season.

Along with businesses, civic organizations began to take hold in the 1930s. Cutler City residents began construction of the Cutler City Community Club in 1936. The Club was built on land offered for that purpose by Arthur Cutler.  Soon, the Community Club became the center for all civic and social activity. Groups met to discuss city improvements, celebrate birthdays and holidays, raise funds with bi-monthly pancake breakfasts, and put on community dances and craft festivals.

Few people came to the area during World War II. However, an end to the war meant a building boom for Cutler City and many others towns in Oregon. Cutler City’s population doubled and businesses of all kinds were established.

In December of 1964, Oceanlake, Delake, Nelscott, Taft and Cutler City voted to consolidate as one city. Results of the vote in Cutler City were close, 73 ‘yea’ to 69 ‘no’.  The new city, named Lincoln City, became official March 3, 1965.