POINTS OF INTEREST/EVENTS

Residents can head to a variety of nearby retreats that include Cape Blanco Lighthouse, the Patrick Hughes House, the Port Orford Lifeboat Station, and the Battle Rock City Park. Battle Rock City Park is an ideal area for beach combing and searching for sea creatures at low tide. Flanking Cape Blanco, the family can head to Elk or Sixes River on an afternoon drive to enjoy some of Oregon’s most pristine rivers. Area residents can also choose from a variety of events that fill the calendar year round. In March, Port Orford celebrates Whale Watch Week and the Cedar Festival, held on Memorial Day Weekend. The Fourth of July Celebration is a family favorite as fireworks are deployed from Battle Rock. Octoberfest is held at the Port Orford Heritage Society in the fall, while the Annual E.S.A. Bazaar and Christmas on the Cape is held in December.

EDUCATION

As part of the Port Orford-Langlois School District, most Port Orford students attend Driftwood and Pacific High School. Additional schools include Blanco Elementary and Azalea Middle School. Driftwood is located at the south end of the district, harboring 160 students in grades K-8. Pacific High School has approximately 135 students. Higher education in the area is provided by Southwestern Oregon Community College, Rogue Community College and Southern Oregon University, to name a few.

ECONOMY

The community of Port Orford relies heavily on commercial fishing, logging and tourism. With a strong horticultural industry, the area to the south is the provider of lily bulbs while the Port Orford area contributes approximately 6% of the nation’s cranberries. Small business providers include a seafood company and wood products manufacturer.