Depoe Bay History

The exact origin of the name of Depoe Bay has been obscured by time, although there is a general knowledge of the matter. The bay and other geographic features in Lincoln County, including a creek flowing into Yaquina River near Toledo, appear to have been named for an Indian who was associated in some way with an early-day army or Indian supply depot in the Siletz territory.The Oregonian , Sept. 9, 1936 said that the bay was named for Willie DePoe, a Siletz Indian. He was known as "Old Charley", and his wife's name was Matilda. The Oregon Journal Nov. 8, 1935 issue recounts the fact that Dr. F. W. Vincent of Pendelton and his grandfather cruised up the Oregon Coast from north of Newport in 1878 and observed a break in the shoreline. Lowering the sails of their 40-foot boat, they finally rowed it into the little harbor. "We found there the anchor chains of a sea-going craft, two headlights and the letters 'U.S.,' so we named the little spot 'Wreckers Cove'," said Dr. Vincent. The name has not prevailed.