Pistol River, Oregon

Pistol River (Tolowa: chvt-ler’sh-chvn-dvn taa-ghii~-li~’ [4]) 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.[5] 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 is located in Oregon
Pistol River
Pistol River
Location within the state of Oregon
Pistol River is located in the United States
Pistol River
Pistol River
Pistol River (the United States)
Coordinates: 42°17′01″N 124°23′57″W
CountryUnited States
StateOregon
CountyCurry
Area
[1]
 • Total0.60 sq mi (1.56 km2)
 • Land0.59 sq mi (1.53 km2)
 • Water0.01 sq mi (0.03 km2)
Elevation
[2]
200 ft (60 m)
Population
 (2020)[3]
 • Total89
 • Density151.10/sq mi (58.32/km2)
Time zoneUTC-8 (Pacific (PST))
 • Summer (DST)UTC-7 (PDT)
ZIP code
97444
Area code(s)458 and 541
FIPS code41-58050
GNIS feature ID2611773[2]

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.[6][7]

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.[8]

Pistol River has a concert association that has hosted a monthly concert, often featuring nationally known acts, since 1982.[9]

In 1984 John Kirkland of The World (of Coos Bay, Oregon) described Pistol River as having a "pioneer spirit" and "simplicity".[10] Kirkland added that the community could be considered "a throwback to an earlier point in American history."[10]

Education

It is in the Central Curry School District,[11] which operates two schools: Riley Creek Elementary School (K-8) and Gold Beach High School.

The entire county is in the Southwestern Oregon Community College district.[12]

Pistol River previously had its own school district, Pistol River Elementary School District.[13] In 1984 it had two teachers and 17 students, with grades 1-3 and 4-6 taught by one particular teacher. The school held periodic social events on holidays, leading Kirkland to call it "the center of Pistol River's social life."[10] In 1997 the Pistol River school district merged into the Central Curry school district, and the Pistol River School immediately closed. The Central Curry district later sold the school's land.[13]

Demographics
Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
202089—
U.S. Decennial Census[14][3]

References
  1. "ArcGIS REST Services Directory". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved October 12, 2022.
  2. U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Pistol River, Oregon
  3. "Census Population API". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved October 12, 2022.
  4. "Siletz Talking Dictionary". Retrieved June 4, 2012.
  5. "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.
  6. McArthur, Lewis A.; McArthur, Lewis L. (2003) [1928]. Oregon Geographic Names (7th ed.). Portland, Oregon: Oregon Historical Society Press. p. 767. ISBN 978-0875952772.
  7. "Pistol River State Scenic Viewpoint". Oregon Parks and Recreation Department. Retrieved November 13, 2006.
  8. "Oregon California Coast Gold Beach Sightseeing: Pistol River". Retrieved March 7, 2018.
  9. "Pistol River Concert Association". Retrieved November 13, 2006.
  10. Kirkland, John (December 28, 1984). "Curry's Pistol River Life quiet, 'blissful'". The World. Coos Bay, Oregon. p. 3. - Clipping from Newspapers.com.
  11. "2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Curry County, OR" (PDF). U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved July 16, 2022.
  12. "Oregon Community Colleges and Community College Districts" (PDF). Oregon Department of Community Colleges & Workforce Development. Retrieved July 17, 2022.
  13. "Our District". Central Curry School District. Archived from the original on November 4, 2008. Retrieved December 24, 2008.
  14. "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Retrieved June 4, 2016.
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