Oregon Coast part 2

The Oregon Coast was hit as hard as any part of the country during the 1930's.  Jobs were scarce.  Newport boasted a bustling population of 750.  With tourism down there was little relief and many merchants simply shut their doors.  A group of merchants formed the Newport Relief Society.  They deposited whatever money they had and printed Newport Script in 1933.  This was used as currency in lieu of cash and recalled after 100 days.  Each script had a corresponding cash value and redeemable date.  Each read:

Newport Script

Issued and redeemable by the Newport Relief Committee

Good only for Trade in Newport

Good only for redemption on or before (dated)

At the office of the Treasurer of the Newport Relief Committee.

The objective was to keep the currency flowing in Newport and discourage going outside the community.   However well intentioned this strategy was, the real relief came with the announcing of the Yaquina Bay bridge project built with funds from the PWA.  This bridge along with four other bridges was part of the effort to connect Highway 101, Roosevelt Highway, from Astoria to Brookings.  The building this bridge brought many needed jobs to Newport.  They broke ground in August 1934 and the bridge was dedicated on October 1 1936 and replaced the ferry system.  The last ferry to cross the bay was the Sadie B.  

-research courtesy of The Bayfront Book by Steve Wyatt and Newport, Oregon-The First 100 Years by Robert and Rose Troxel.

Looking south toward the Marina

This view looking toward the South jetty.  

In this detail you can see the Art Deco influence in the concrete.