The Elkton Community

Historic Elkton, the smallest incorporated town in Oregon, is nestled in the Coast Range at the confluence of Elk Creek and the Umpqua River. The Umpqua, second largest of rivers in the Americas which empty directly into the Pacific Ocean, drains all of Douglas County.

Located at the junction of Highways 38 and 138, Elkton is 41 miles west from Winchester Bay on the Pacific Ocean. Timbered hills and pastured valleys surround the town of 170 residents. Visitors comment on the friendliness of the people and the community's pride in its schools. Some chuckle at the diminutive bleachers on the football field, little realizing that high school athletic events are social occasions involving several generations of fans who wander the sidelines exchanging greetings and conversations. Eugene, 54 miles to the northeast, and Roseburg, the county seat, 36 miles to the southeast, offer cultural diversity, shopping and excellent medical facilties. Umpqua Community College is just north of Roseburg.

The Coast Range protects Elkton from ocean fog, affording a sunny, temperate climate with enough rainfall to nourish tall trees and lush vegetation. The area's soil is fertile for tree farms, grapes, seed crops, berries, orchards, and gardens for home or commercial use. Pastures support sheep, cattle, horses, and llamas.

In addition to its trout, salmon, steelhead, and shad fishing, Elkton is gaining acclaim as the "bass capital of Oregon." Along the scenic Umpqua River to the Pacific, Loon Lake and Dean Creek Elk Preserve are points of interest. Reedsport offers the Discovery Center and the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area. The Umpqua Lighthouse, beaches, and ocean fishing are at nearby Winchester Bay.

www.sftimes.com Link to City of Elkton website