Welcome To Bandon Visitors Guide 2010

• From Cavalry Barn To Community Center

Published: Thursday, May 21st, 2009 From Cavalry Barn To Community Center One of Bandon's most historic structures has recently been transformed into a modern conference center. Locals prefer to call the site by its traditional name - The Barn. The building's new look and location at the edge of City Park belie its original, military purpose.

The Coast Guard had a substantial presence in Oregon. In Bandon, they manned a life-saving station on the Coquille River waterfront and routinely patrolled the coast, alert for shipwrecks and rescue situations.

In early 1942, the Coast Guard continued its beach patrols, but also acquired a heightened military role.

Known as "sandpounders," the men on beach patrol were part of a vital coastal information system, which also included horses and dogs. At Bandon, new facilities were built to accommodate the cavalry units.

In late 1942 or early 1943, the Corps of Engineers built a small headquarters, stables, and a barn that housed 22 horses (Army remounts), on the southern side of the Coquille River on 10th Street, now in City Park. A second barn stabled additional horses on the northern side of the river near Bullards Beach. The men stayed either in local homes or at the Bandon Hotel, which overlooked the river.

In 1946, the headquarters and barns were finally closed. The barn near Bullards Beach and the smaller headquarters building were eventually demolished.

During 2008 and 2009, the surviving building underwent a major remodeling effort and officially reopened to the public in April. Among its new features are the greatly expanded conference area, a shiny new kitchen, the myrtlewood room and bar, the redesigned lobby - and colorful murals of Coquille Point and Old Town Bandon prior to the 1914 fire.

Located in City Park, The Barn, Bandon's Conference and Community Center is available for private events and weddings as well as conferences, workshops, dances and much more. Catering is also available. For more information or to take a tour, phone 541-329-0329.

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