Early settlers, driven by greed and a sense of entitlement, and sanctioned by their government, took Coos Indian lands without compensation. Asa Simpson purchased land at the north bend of Coos Bay from settlers. He wanted his company town, including a sawmill and shipyard, to remain small, but his son, Louis, had other ideas. Louis Simpson created a bustling frontier town filled with civic-minded citizens as well as drinkers, gamblers, and prostitutes. North Bend never became Simpson's dream of another San Francisco but it was a thriving shipbuilding center until the end of World War I and a busy port for timber and lumber exports into the 1980s. The people of this beautifully situated city now focus on different economic realities, embracing tourism, welcoming retirees, and appreciating their history. Author Bio: Dick and Judy Wagner moved to North Bend in 1981, escaping Arizona's heat. They found the local history fascinating and have written four other books about North Bend and the bay area, including biographies of Louis Jerome Simpson and Lorenzo Dow Kinney. Historical images for this volume were obtained from the Coos Historical and Maritime Museum, the North Bend Fire Department, and others.
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