Pistol River (Tolowa: chvt-ler’sh-chvn-dvn taa-ghii~-li~’ [3]) 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.[4] It is near the Pistol River and the Pistol River State Scenic Viewpoint, just to the east of U.S. Route 101.

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 [1]
• Total	0.60 sq mi (1.56 km2)
• Land	0.59 sq mi (1.53 km2)
• Water	0.01 sq mi (0.03 km2)
Elevation	21 ft (6 m)
Population  (2020)[2]
• Total	89
• Density	151.10/sq mi (58.32/km2)
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.[5][6]

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.[7]

Pistol River has a concert association that has hosted a monthly concert, often featuring nationally known acts, since 1982.[8]

In 1984 John Kirkland of The World (of Coos Bay, Oregon) described Pistol River as having a "pioneer spirit" and "simplicity".[9] Kirkland added that the community could be considered "a throwback to an earlier point in American history."[9]

Demographics

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."[9] 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]

References

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

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