In the early years of settlement on the
Oregon Coast, rivers were the method of communication between the coast and points in the
Willamette Valley. As a result, the heads of navigation on many coastal rivers became important commercial centers.
As highways have replaced the rivers as modes of transportation, many of these communities have grown relatively less important. Some, like Coquille on the Coquille River have remained important; Coquille is at an important highway junction and is still the Coos County seat. Others, like Elk City on the Yaquina River and Scottsburg on the Umpqua River have nearly disappeared.
The rivers on the far south coast never gave rise to "head of navigation" towns. The Rogue River and Chetco River head into wildernesses that discouraged any attempt at regular transportation.
