View from the Tower

September 11, 2013 | by Nate Burke

Flashing back to the 1920s, we see another gorgeous day in Seaside looking south from the Turnaround. In August 2013, we profiled an aerial photograph that showed the Seaside beachfront and the old Hotel Seaside with its elegant crow’s nest towers. The photo to your left was taken by a photographer perched in one of those very same towers. The highest point in town, it was the perfect vantage for the classic Seaside focal points: the Turnaround (notice that this photo pre-dates the Lewis & Clark End of the Trail monument) and, of course, Tillamook Head. As you can see, the beach is much the same as it is today. Considering that in 1920 the US population was only a third of what it is today, the beachfront is considerably busy. The fourteenth US Census, taken in 1920, determined that the American population was near 106 million around the time this photo was taken (as compared to 314 million in 2012). Much like the US population, the beach sands have also multiplied throughout the years. Can you spot the two flights of stairs leading up to the turnaround? These days, there is only one flight of stairs visible, as the second has been completely engulfed in the expanding sands. It gives an interesting look at the topographical changes over the years; but other than the shifting beach, this view from the tower is nearly identical to what you would see today.

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