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Historical Museum

Every story starts somewhere, and the tale of Lincoln City’s origins begins at the North Lincoln County Historical Museum.

In the windows to the museum, Japanese glass fishing floats, donated from the spectacular collection of Jim Watson, gleam and twinkle. This display includes many unusual examples produced in Japan for the fishing industry that have made their way to the Oregon Coast at the whim of wave and wind, an art form still celebrated today through our popular Finders Keepers program.

Step into the downstairs gallery and the Lincoln City story begins. Explore displays of fossils, early artifacts, Native American baskets and beadwork, other elements of our history leading up to the township development in the 1920s.

Upstairs, the gallery celebrates the age of the automobile and early tourism, as the Salmon River and Oregon Coast highways came through in the 1920s and on to 1965, when Lincoln City was incorporated. Experience the history of each town and make your way down the Twenty Miracle Miles with displays on roadside attractions, early tourism promotions like the Redhead Roundup and one-of-a-kind businesses like Pixie Kitchen and Pixieland.

Each gallery includes a changing display area, so that every time you visit there is something new to see. The museum hosts special events throughout the year. Hands-on workshops, lectures and special exhibits make their way to the museum on a regular basis. Stop by and see where it all began.

More to Explore

History From beautiful, reed woven baskets of the First Peoples, to the gleam of Japanese glass fishing floats, our stories await your curiosity.

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Large antique sign hanging  in Lincoln City, OR

Antiques Treasure is waiting to be discovered throughout Lincoln City, a haven for antiques and collectibles.

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