Experience the 21st Annual Cannon Beach Cottage Tour

Walk Through Picturesque Cannon Beach to See Charming Vintage Cottage and Dream Homes While Learning Fascinating Oregon Coast History

For the past 21 years, the Cannon Beach History Center & Museum has hosted tours of Cannon Beach’s historic cottages and beachfront dreamhomes. This annual Cannon Beach Cottage Tour is a celebration of both the quaint charm of our little Oregon coast community and the fascinating history of how Cannon Beach came to be.

The 2024 Cannon Beach Cottage Tour will take place over the second weekend of September, and it will feature a few additional events alongside the titular tour. Read on to learn more about what to expect for this year’s Cannon Beach Cottage Tour.

Image by Charles Steedman via Naval History and Heritage Command

But First, a Little Cannon Beach History

Ever wonder how Cannon Beach got its name? If you’re thinking that it was named after a cannon on a beach, then you’re correct! But there’s much more to the story than that!

It all started way back in August of 1846, when the Shark, a U.S. Navy schooner, reached the Oregon coast on a mission to survey the harbor at the mouth of the Columbia River. After completing its mission, the Shark struck Clatsop Spit and wrecked on the mouth of the Columbia River whereupon a large section of the vessel split off and eventually washed ashore at what is now Arch Cape.

A U.S. midshipman named T.J. Simmons, was sent to visit the wreckage and salvage what he could. He and several Native Americans managed to free one of the Shark’s cannons, and they stored it away from the shoreline at a creek bed for safekeeping.

However, the cannon was soon lost, and it wasn’t seen again until a mail carrier spotted it half a century later in 1898. Since its rediscovery, the cannon changed hands many times, but it now resides at the Cannon Beach History Center & Museum.

Check out the History Center blog to learn more details about the cannon and the Shark.

The 21st Annual Cannon Beach Cottage Tour

That brings us to the Cannon Beach Cottage Tour, which is a fundraiser festival for the Cannon Beach History Center & Museum. The fundraising from this festival helps the History Center preserve exciting exhibits like Cannon Beach’s cannon, keeping alive this community’s fascinating history.

So, if you’re visiting Cannon Beach between September 13th and the 15th (hopefully in a Beachcomber vacation home), then here are the details for each day of the Cannon Beach Cottage Tour festival:

Friday, September 13th

From 5:30 - 8:00 PM, the History Center will host the Opening Night Benefit Bash to kick off the weekend. Enjoy live music by the Heather Christie Band, refreshing beer pours provided by Pelican Brewing, exquisite wine provided by The Wine Shack, and plenty of delicious hors d’oeuvres, all while touring the museum's lovely exhibits. Plus, there will be an exciting silent auction where you can bid on everything from beautiful art pieces to private experiences.

The cost of admission to this benefit celebration is a “pay-what-you-will donation” to the History Center.

Saturday, September 14th

This is the day of the Cannon Beach Cottage & Garden Tour’s 21st anniversary. From 12:00 - 5:00 PM, take the self-guided walking tour of over a dozen historic cottages and dream homes in Cannon Beach.

Locations for the tour range from areas behind the Coaster Theatre to Presidential Streets, and this year, your ticket includes "Out on the Town" perks granting you discounts at local shops in Cannon Beach. One of the featured homes on this year’s tour is the former home of Governor Oswald West. Oswald West famously paved the way to making Oregon’s beaches remain public for everyone.

If you want to take the tour, you are encouraged to purchase tickets online ahead of time. Tickets cost $45 online now, but the prices will increase to $50 on tour day.

Sunday, September 15th

Finally, the festival weekend will close on Sunday with the new Paint and Sip Workshop. Two sessions will be available: Morning, from 10 AM to 12 PM and Afternoon, from 1 PM to 3 PM. All supplies are provided, and no experience is necessary. You'll be guided by local artist Dmitri Swain as you create beautiful landscape watercolor paintings - a perfect keepsake for your memorable weekend in Cannon Beach.

Tickets for this event will sell out quickly, so don't wait to purchase yours! The price is $45 per session.

And that’s what you can expect for this year’s 21st Anniversary of the Cannon Beach Cottage Tour. Learn a little history, see some charming historic coastal homes, and have a great time with our welcoming community!

If you haven’t already booked a place to stay, then be sure to browse our catalog of lovely cottages and dream vacation homes in Cannon Beach. We have a fantastic selection of rental homes fit for any group size and budget. Check them out today!