Powers has long relied on logging. Its mayor sees new possibilities

Well, let's begin with geography.

Where is the city of Powers located?

Well, I would say it's probably about 30 miles, 25 to 30 miles east.

due east of Cape Blanco.

And we're an hour's drive southeast of Coos Bay.

Okay, so you're on the Oregon coast.

Well, no, we're in the...

Powers is unique in that it's probably the largest town, almost the only town, it's smack in the middle of the Coast Range Mountains.

And the high school, for instance, they're known as the cruisers, as in timber cruisers.

It's a timber town.

Okay, so tell me about it.

What's the land size, population, demographics?

Well, on the last census, we were within the city limits at 713 people.

And that was up from the previous census of 683.

But if you count just outside the city limits, the surrounding area, we're over 1,000 people here, 1,200 people.

And one of the distinctive features of the city is the south fork of the Coquille River runs right through the middle of town.

And that's just one of those clear mountain streams with this crystal clear water in it and great swimming holes.

And being inland, you know, the temperature's a little warmer here.

So it's just got some ideal vacation spots.

Okay, so you're inland along a river.

The Coquille River, the south fork of the Coquille River, which comes out of Bandon, Oregon.

Okay.

Now, I understand that the city is known as the gateway to the Siskiyous?

Yes.

We do have that title because the National Forest, like I said, is a timber town.

Well, let's begin with geography.

Where is the city of Powers located?

Well, I would say it's probably about 30 miles, 25 to 30 miles east.

due east of Cape Blanco.

And we're an hour's drive southeast of Coos Bay.

Okay, so you're on the Oregon coast.

Well, no, we're in the...

Powers is unique in that it's probably the largest town, almost the only town, it's smack in the middle of the Coast Range Mountains.

And the high school, for instance, they're known as the cruisers, as in timber cruisers.

It's a timber town.

Okay, so tell me about it.

What's the land size, population, demographics?

Well, on the last census, we were within the city limits at 713 people.

And that was up from the previous census of 683.

But if you count just outside the city limits, the surrounding area, we're over 1,000 people here, 1,200 people.

And one of the distinctive features of the city is the south fork of the Coquille River runs right through the middle of town.

And that's just one of those clear mountain streams with this crystal clear water in it and great swimming holes.

And being inland, you know, the temperature's a little warmer here.

So it's just got some ideal vacation spots.

Okay, so you're inland along a river.

The Coquille River, the south fork of the Coquille River, which comes out of Bandon, Oregon.

Okay.

Now, I understand that the city is known as the gateway to the Siskiyous?

Yes.

We do have that title because the National Forest, like I said, is a timber town.