Langlois, Oregon - Gateway to America's Wild Rivers Coast

Visitor Guide - Historic Langlois

Langlois Hotel Building

Historic Langlois Hotel © T. Hewitt, 2004

The original hotel burned and a nearly identical structure replaced it. The "new" building, constructed in 1913, served several businesses, including the E.H. Cheever Hardware store. Today, the hotel sits waiting its next incarnation.

Woodmen Hall

Woodmen of the World, W.O.W. Camp 609 met the first Friday of each month, according to an ad in a 1925 newspaper. Raincoast Arts now calls the historic hall home.

A new use for an Old Church

The Wild Rivers Wool Factory Outlet is housed in an old Catholic church dating back to 1917. It was built under the direction of Father Joseph P. Clancy, a young priest of 20. Fr. Clancy was assigned to Bandon and south coast mission churches. He traveled by Louis Knapp's stage line between Bandon and Gold Beach. Apparently the road south of Langlois was similar in nature to the road to Cape Blanco lighthouse: corduroy. Bumping over the logs that made up the road was not likely, a pleasant experience.

Langlois Market (also known as "Lee's Market">

Directly across from the Old Church/Wool Factory is Langlois Market. This is THE meeting place for the locals. Lee serves up groceries, along with deli lunches (forget Subway, you can't beat a Langlois Market deli sandwich!), and his now world famous hot dogs. Word of warning: don't hit this place at noon! Try 11:30 or after 1:30, or be prepared to wait. This photo was taken about 11:30 am, there are four cars in front, and this photo does not show the parking lot! The store, added onto here and there, is over 50 years old, and one does wonder how many look up, as they are standing in line waiting.

Langlois Public Library

Langlois Library Coyprights 2004, T. Hewitt

Architectural interest: Shaped like a star, the design was controversial to a few, but most are pleased with the new space that allows community programs such as library hours for children and Chautauqua's arranged through the Oregon Council for the Humanities. Langlois Public Library offers online computers for travelers wishing to check email.

Century Farms

At least two century farms exist in the Langlois area, the most notable is the Jensen Farm, located on Highway 101. For years the barn sat on the edge of the highway, painted red, with a lighted treble clef and the Dr. Kilmer's sign on the north side, it was a local landmark. An early fall (2007) storm did some significant damage to the historic barn, and the family deemed it unsafe and tore it down. Probably a good thing! Later, in December a major storm blew through the area, knocking out power, blowing off roofs, twisting and toppling trees; the barn would have been a casualty had it not already been in a pile. While the pile no doubt awaits a torch, the footprint of the building is clearly visible. The inset photo is courtesy of Bonnie Jensen Cox. Charlie Jensen lived on the farm until his death in 2005 at age 103. His family is famous for their music and the Jensen Friends and Family band entertains 4th of July Jubilee visitors with their annual float...make that a semi-truck with a good size band on the trailer!

Kreutzer's, another long time Langlois/Denmark family, also have a century farm.

Boice-Cope County Park

Boice-Cope County Park is a small county park on Floras Lake (photo top). Floras Lake is a very popular with wind-surfers. Camping is available. To find the lake, travel south of Langlois on 101 to Floras Lake Loop Road and turn west, from there the next turns are well marked.

Most Often asked Questions

How do you pronounce Langlois? -- According to the old-timers... it's Langless. This pronunciation is verified in early census records, where census enumerators spelled the name phonetically as they heard it.

Was the town named after the lighthouse keeper James Langlois? -- No. When it came time to bring a post office to the area of Dairyville, the petition for Dairyville was rejected to avoid confusion with Dayville. (Dayville is located in eastern Oregon near John Day) A.J. Thrift and Frank Langlois (brother of James) decided to call the town Langlois. The Langlois family arrived in Oregon's Willamette Valley with the earliest pioneers. By 1854, the family migrated to Curry County. William and Mary's son Thomas Orford, is believed to be the first pioneer child born in the area. William, the patriarch of the family was born in England.