Florence

The town sits at the mouth of the Siuslaw as it empties into the Pacific and spreads across a coastal plain with sandy soil and low vegetation. Small wooden houses line streets that wind between beaches and forested hills to the east.

Settlers arrived at this stretch of coast in the 1870s and established a small community around logging and fishing. Official incorporation came in 1893 when the place gained legal recognition and structured governance.

Locals walk through the old district along the waterfront street, where independent shops and small galleries display handmade crafts and maritime souvenirs. The settlement's name may trace back to a French sailing vessel that anchored here in the early years.

Access to the water comes through several public paths leading to beach sections that can vary by season. During fog, common along this coast, visibility stays limited and makes orientation difficult along unfamiliar shores.

The Coast Guard designated this place an official Coast Guard City in 2017, a recognition that only a few communities across the United States have received. The designation honors close cooperation between local residents and maritime rescue services.

Location: Lane County

Inception: 1893

Elevation above the sea: 4 m

Website: http://ci.florence.or.us

GPS coordinates: 43.97500,-124.10250

Latest update: December 13, 2025 19:36