The following information about Empire Oregon was obtained from a picture I took of a plaque down by the boat launch and docks: It was provided by Historical Society. I have some current pictures of Empire here
Long before Euro-Americans settlements appeared in Empire the area was occupied by Native Americans, and it was once the site of an ancient Indian Village. In 1826 fur trappers from the Hudson Bay Company were the first Euro-Americans to meet the local Indians. Soon there-after emigrant settlers arrived in 1853 to found the City of Empire.
The community was quickly established and became an economic and commercial center. The city was the seat of Local County government for over 40 years, and it was southwest Oregon's link to the outside world.
Shortly sailing ships became a common site on the waterfront. Logging was a bustling industry, and the Southern Oregon Improvement Center provided a variety of services and goods which served as a universal marketing center. Later, in the 1850's entrepreneurs came from San Francisco. They were attracted by the accessible harbor and began shipping lumber, coal, domestic aid, and agricultural products. Due to the large volume of commodities such as machinery, food, staples, and clothing which found their way to the local farms, industries, and homes in the region it became the site for the United States Collector of Customs for the Southern Oregon District.
Later, in 1885, the city formally incorporated. Near the end of the 1800's the city began to decline. The local lumber markets and mills closed so in 1896 the voters moved the county seat to Coquille. Today, very little is left of this historic area due to progress in the area.
