History of the Land
Declared a County Heritage Site by the Tillamook County Commissioners in 2010, Kilchis Point is an important prehistoric and historic site. Kilchis Point was the site of one of the largest permanent Native American villages on the Northern Oregon Coast. Tillamook County’s first pioneer settler, Joe Champion arrived at Kilchis Point in 1851 and was invited by Chief Kilchis to live in a spruce stump next to the Native American village while he built a cabin. The Morning Star, a ship built in 1854 to convey goods and people to and from Portland and Astoria, was constructed at Kilchis Point, making it the first ship built in Tillamook County and the first ship registered in the Oregon Territory. Kilchis Point was also the headquarters of the Whitney Lumber Company from 1919-1927.
History of KPR
The historic, cultural, and natural significance of Kilchis Point has been known in the community for well over a century, and so it is no surprise that the land was gifted to the Tillamook County Pioneer Museum to hold in trust and preserve for future generations. Once, it was the ambition of the organization to relocate the Museum itself from it's current location in downtown Tillamook to the property. When that was determined to be unfeasible, a new idea was born that would develop into what is now Kilchis Point Reserve. Work began in late 2008 and continued for more than a decade to build the interpretive trail system we have today.
The completion of a cultural resource assessment (2010) and a wetland delineation (2011) served as the starting points to the process of applying for permits through Tillamook County, the City of Bay City, and many Oregon State agencies so we could begin installing permanent trails and bridges. The Ford Family Foundation designed, funded and helped install the Kilchis Point trailhead area complete with benches and a native garden. A paved parking area, bioswale, and an interpretive kiosk have also been completed with funding from the Spirit Mountain Community Fund. Permeable pavers have been used for the parking area and the Trailhead Loop which is approximately 1/3 of mile, thanks to donations of time and materials from North Coast Lawn. Habitat preservation and restoration has always been one of the top priorities at Kilchis Point. Invasive species such as Scotch Broom and Himalayan Blackberry are regularly being eradicated and replaced with native plant species such as Twinberry, Salmonberry, willows, and Cedar. Over 200 trees donated by the American Association of University Women have been planted near the trailhead area. Volunteer work crews, including adults and students, have contributed to the habitat restoration process including the planting of 4250 Western Red Cedars. Our most recent project included the construction of an RV pad at the front entrance for a year-round Park Host to better care for the reserve and support our visitors.
Declared a County Heritage Site by the Tillamook County Commissioners in 2010, Kilchis Point is an important prehistoric and historic site. Kilchis Point was the site of one of the largest permanent Native American villages on the Northern Oregon Coast. Tillamook County’s first pioneer settler, Joe Champion arrived at Kilchis Point in 1851 and was invited by Chief Kilchis to live in a spruce stump next to the Native American village while he built a cabin. The Morning Star, a ship built in 1854 to convey goods and people to and from Portland and Astoria, was constructed at Kilchis Point, making it the first ship built in Tillamook County and the first ship registered in the Oregon Territory. Kilchis Point was also the headquarters of the Whitney Lumber Company from 1919-1927.
History of KPR
The historic, cultural, and natural significance of Kilchis Point has been known in the community for well over a century, and so it is no surprise that the land was gifted to the Tillamook County Pioneer Museum to hold in trust and preserve for future generations. Once, it was the ambition of the organization to relocate the Museum itself from it's current location in downtown Tillamook to the property. When that was determined to be unfeasible, a new idea was born that would develop into what is now Kilchis Point Reserve. Work began in late 2008 and continued for more than a decade to build the interpretive trail system we have today.
The completion of a cultural resource assessment (2010) and a wetland delineation (2011) served as the starting points to the process of applying for permits through Tillamook County, the City of Bay City, and many Oregon State agencies so we could begin installing permanent trails and bridges. The Ford Family Foundation designed, funded and helped install the Kilchis Point trailhead area complete with benches and a native garden. A paved parking area, bioswale, and an interpretive kiosk have also been completed with funding from the Spirit Mountain Community Fund. Permeable pavers have been used for the parking area and the Trailhead Loop which is approximately 1/3 of mile, thanks to donations of time and materials from North Coast Lawn. Habitat preservation and restoration has always been one of the top priorities at Kilchis Point. Invasive species such as Scotch Broom and Himalayan Blackberry are regularly being eradicated and replaced with native plant species such as Twinberry, Salmonberry, willows, and Cedar. Over 200 trees donated by the American Association of University Women have been planted near the trailhead area. Volunteer work crews, including adults and students, have contributed to the habitat restoration process including the planting of 4250 Western Red Cedars. Our most recent project included the construction of an RV pad at the front entrance for a year-round Park Host to better care for the reserve and support our visitors.