Pistol River, Oregon

Pistol River (Tolowa: chvt-ler’sh-chvn-dvn taa-ghii~-li~’ [1]) is an unincorporated community and census-designated place in Curry County, Oregon, United States. As of the 2010 census it had a population of 84.[2] It is near the Pistol River and the Pistol River State Scenic Viewpoint, just to the east of U.S. Route 101.

This article is about the community in Oregon. For the nearby stream, see Pistol River.

Pistol River, Oregon
Census-designated place
Pistol River Location within the state of Oregon Show map of Oregon Pistol River Pistol River (the United States) Show map of the United States
Coordinates: 42°16′38″N 124°23′37″W
Country	United States
State	Oregon
County	Curry
Area
• Total	0.59 sq mi (1.53 km^2)
• Land	0.59 sq mi (1.53 km^2)
• Water	0.0 sq mi (0.0 km^2)
Elevation	21 ft (6 m)
Population  (2010)
• Total	84
• Density	142/sq mi (55.0/km^2)
Time zone	UTC-8 (Pacific (PST))
• Summer (DST)	UTC-7 (PDT)
ZIP code	97444
Area code(s)	458 and 541
FIPS code	41-58050
GNIS feature ID	1147776

The community of Pistol River takes its name from the stream that flows past it. James Mace, a militia soldier, lost a pistol in the river in 1853, during a skirmish of the Rogue River Wars, and it has been known as the Pistol River since then. The Pistol River post office was established in 1927.[3][4]

The Pistol River area is known for its windsurfing, and the International Windsurfing Tour holds the Pistol River Wavebash there annually. Many say that Pistol River has the best windsurfing in the state.[5]

Pistol River has a concert association that has hosted a monthly concert, often featuring nationally known acts, since 1982.[6]

References

1. "Siletz Talking Dictionary". Retrieved 2012-06-04.
2. "Geographic Identifiers: 2010 Demographic Profile Data (G001): Pistol River CDP, Oregon". U.S. Census Bureau, American Factfinder. Archived from the original on March 10, 2015. Retrieved March 10, 2015.
3. McArthur, Lewis A.; McArthur, Lewis L. (2003) [1928]. Oregon Geographic Names (7th ed.). Portland, Oregon: Oregon Historical Society Press. p. 767. ISBN 978-0875952772.
4. "Pistol River State Scenic Viewpoint". Oregon Parks and Recreation Department. Retrieved 2006-11-13.
5. "Oregon California Coast Gold Beach Sightseeing: Pistol River". Retrieved 2018-03-07.
6. "Pistol River Concert Association". Retrieved 2006-11-13.

External links

• Photo of a historic marker from Salem Public Library describing the Battle of Pistol River that took place during the Rogue River Wars