Arch Cape Chronicles: A Bit of Oregon Coast's Past
Authored by long-time Arch Cape residents David and Alma English, the 357-page Arch Cape Chronicles is a story about a three-mile section of the North Oregon Coast. Mother Nature isolated Arch Cape by placing massive basaltic barriers at both ends, thus preventing easy access. Arch Cape Creek and the headland bearing the same name mark the south boundary, while Hug Point marks the north boundary.
The compelling true stories in this book tell about the area’s development and some of the people who made it happen. More than 100 photos and other illustrations help the reader understand by Arch Cape is truly a “wee bit of heaven,” blessed with sea caves, waterfalls, sea stacks, headlands, singing sands, tide pools, flowing creeks, and endless stretches of isolated beaches.
About the authors:
David English grew up in Hoquiam, Washington, graduating from Hoquiam High in 1940. He enlisted in the Army Air Force September 17, 1940, completing his basic training for the Army Air Force at Hamilton Field, California. He was promoted to Sergeant in March of 1941. His unit, 701 Ordnance Company, 19 Bomb Group, was ordered to Clark Field, Philippine Islands in October, 1941.
Following surrender, David spent three months in a prison camp in Malabalay, Mindanao, P.I. He was later sent to Japan where he spent 32 months working in a steel mill (Nippon Kokan in Kawasaki). The final five months were spent working at an open pit oar mine in Northern Honshu. His weight dropped from 165 pounds to 119 pounds by July, 1943.
Of the 70 enlisted men and officers in his company, he was one of eight who survived and returned to the United States.
David graduated from Central Washington University in 1950 and completed two years of graduate work, mostly at the University of Washington. He taught junior high school for five years and high school for 22 years, all in Seattle.
Upon retirement, David divided his time between Seattle and Arch Cape, Oregon, where he was involved in a number of community activities. He died in 2006.
Alma English was born on a farm in North Dakota in 1924 to the Storseth family, the fifth of nine children. After graduating high school, she moved to Aberdeen, Washington, and went into banking for National Bank of Commerce.
Alma married Dave English in 1947 and moved to Ellensburg where Dave earned his teaching degree. They then moved to Seattle where Alma continued her banking career. She was promoted to Assistant VP in 1980 and was later promoted to Vice President as SW Regional Business Development Manager. In 1985 she was named Branch Manager of the Year.
After 41 years in banking, she retired in 1986. She and Dave frequented their family home in Arch Cape along the Oregon coast where they were active volunteers in the community. She died in 2011.