Even back in the 1900s, developers and architects recognized the beauty of the north Oregon Coast, and in particular, the rugged and stunning views from Neahkahnie, a stone’s throw from Manzanita.

Two architects had a particularly important impact on the style of homes that were built at the time, which later became known as the “Northwest Regional style.” The distinctive features of this style include broad, overhanging gable or hipped roofs covered with shingles, nonacademic forms and details, asymmetrical Built by architect A.E. Doyle, whose designs influenced the development of the Northwest style of architectureopen floor plans, wood frame construction with unfinished and unpainted siding of native woods – an integration of structure and environment.

Four of the cottages in Neahkahnie were designed by architect A.E. Doyle, who influenced the style of the beach cottages with his graceful, gabled roof lines, attention to detail, and banked vertical style of windows, which was a forerunner of the tradition of the Northwest Regional style of architecture. One of the other historical cottages was designed by Ellis Lawrence.

The five cottages share an attention to site placement, with a view to the north of Neahkahnie Mountain as highly regarded as that of the Pacific so there were always windows to takeThis house was built for Mary Frances Isom, also called the Library Cottage, and still remains intact now as it was in 1912. advantage of the view. Using uncomplicated design and shape, the cottages were often a simple rectangle, with one or one-and-one-half stories. Porches or terraces might be located on the north side for the view, but they were seldom used for outdoor activities because of prevailing winds.

The main space of the cottage consisted of a large, dominate living room, often open to the ridge. The living room would usually have windows on three sides, and would always have a fireplace, usually of washed stone. The sleeping lofts, bedrooms, bathrooms, and kitchen were most often small rooms.

The lumber used for the construction of these cottages was milled near the site, and consisted of fir, spruce and cedar.

The earliest of the cottages was designed by Doyle and built for Mary Frances Isom, the first librarianDesigned by Ellis Lawrence and built around 1913, the Povey cottage remains much as it was built. of the Portland Central Library. She served as the head librarian from 1902 until her death in 1920. The cottage, named Spindrift, is also known as the Library Cottage. Built in 1912, it faces the pacific on a prominent slope of lower Neahkahnie Mountain. The T-shaped one-and-one-half story house has a cross-gable roof and distinct windows formed of a series of identical, rectangular, vertical lights that was to become one of the hallmarks of the Northwest Regional style. The size of the windows is the most unusual feature, the proportion of window area to mass was generous and the placement was oriented to the view.

The cottages typically had natural wood interior walls, and sides with untreated shakes. The Isom cottage still stands on Beulah Reed Road at the foot of Neahkahnie Road and presents an appearance close to its original appearance in 1912.

Doyle also designed what is known as the Wentz cottage in 1916, located on Reed Road and built for artist Harry Wentz. It was built as an artist’s studio, situated on the bluff overlooking the ocean. Often referred to as a studio bungalow, it is a simple rectangular shape with a pitched gable and two small porches with shed roofs.

On the inside, the house is rustic, with untreated fir, cedar and spruce. The main floor is predominantly living space and contains a small kitchen, bathroom, and bedroom. A straight stairway leads to a balcony, with two bedrooms, open to the rest of the home. The Wentz cottage broke from the traditional room-by-room treatment of space to an open, flowing pattern unencumbered by dividing walls. This type of style was an attempt to develop styles and forms appropriate to the northwest weather, scenery, and livability.

In 1916, Doyle designed a cottage for his family, located on 2nd St. in Neahkahnie. The home is a one-story rectangular building which shingle and spruce board siding and a stone chimney. The cottage contains the distinctive vertical windows, capturing the view of Neahkahnie Mountain.

The Povey cottage was designed by Ellis Lawrence and built around 1913. It is a one and on-half story structure with a steeply pitched hip roof. It features a large bank of windows and a fireplace and terrace of washed stone.

The interiors has an open stairway, paneled walls and doors of distinctive design. While not contributing directly in its style to the Northwest style of architecture, it is important for its craftsmanlike construction and use of natural materials, especially on the inside.

The majority of the early cottages did not have running water or electricity. Heating was accomplished with a stone fireplace, and for those homes without a well, water was hauled in buckets from the nearest stream.

While Manzanita incorporated into a city in 1946, with a population of 150, Neahkahnie chose to remain an unincorporated part of Tillamook county, with only six year round homes and 22 summer homes. A lot or tract of land in Neahkahnie cost $50 to $1000, depending on location, and warranty deeds stipulated the property would be used only for residential purposes. Landowner ers were not allowed to build a house for less than $500, thereby discouraging buyers from erecting tents or small shacks. From its inception, Neahkahnie was established as a noncommercial community, designed to attract only those who could afford to build their own summer homes.