The Oregon Coast has a special history of art deco style due to the bridges built in the late 1930s. These bridges did more than open the door to modern transportation, they left a unique art deco legacy on the coast.

The modern design of the bridges and the new highway-oriented culture affected new construction in places like Newport. As the City Center grew, many business owners wanted to project the same modern, progressive image as the bridge. They adopted the contemporary style of the day, what we now call the 'steamline moderne' phase of Art Deco.

Some structures have survived, like the former Bank of Newport shown at right. Many more are hidden by late century 'upgrades.' However, many are only a faint glimmer in the mirror of time. Their art deco style exists only in memories and the rare photo.

The Bay Way Cafe & bus station at Highway 101 and 2nd Street featured streamline deco style. The interior had myrtlewood flooring and streamline hardware fixtures. The Bay Way was demolished in 1961.

Newport's 'lost deco' is an important part of the district's heritage because for a time, these auto age gems shone like deco diamonds on an asphalt necklace.

The Williams Motor Company was located at Highway 101 and Fall Street. It was home to the Hudson auto dealership and featured a streamline deco style wraparound showroom. It was demolished in 1963.

The City Center Newport Assn. is registered with the Oregon Cultural Trust as a cultural non profit organization.

You can help support CCNA's mission of revitalizing Newport's unique Art Deco heritage by becoming a member today.