Shell’s Cottage was built by an old Gearhart family named Waterhouse sometime in the late 1910’s.  County records say the house was built in 1910 but family history and other records say it was the early 1920’s.  It is quite possible that another small structure existed there earlier and was incorporated into the house. Unlike many of the cottages built in the old resort of Gearhart Park by the Sea, this was not a summer home. The family had lived in the area since the 1880’s and the father of the builder of the house was the first Postmaster of Gearhart.

The house was built on a lot originally owned by one of the Knapp sisters from the small town of Knappa, Oregon which is located inland up the Columbia River.  The carriage house was built on one of two lots originally owned by Simon and Amanda Reed – the couple who endowed the founding of Reed College in Portland, Oregon.  The side yard with the big Sitka spruce tree was the Reed’s other lot.  Shell’s Cottage is listed on the Oregon Historic Sites Registry as the “Amanda Woods Reed” house and, although Amanda Reed did not build it and never lived there, somebody must have the thought the connection was good enough!

 The cottage remained in the Waterhouse family up until the early 1990’s when it was sold to a new family along with a large piece of neighboring property that was owned by the Episcopal Church. That property had operated as a summer camp and retreat for fifty-three years and before that as a YWCA camp.  The camp included St. Anne’s Chapel, located next door to Shell’s Cottage, and the land behind both buildings which contains a ball field complete with a backstop. Lights for night games where added later along with a deck and stadium seats behind the carriage house.  Another house sits to the rear of the property along with some other small camp buildings.

All this property sits on Cottage Avenue in the heart of Gearhart and has for many years been known as “The Estate”. The chapel was sold to good friends early on and turned into a home. They were careful to retain the historic chapel exterior and it is also listed on the Oregon Historic Sites Registry.

The new owners did many updates over the years – such as plumbing and electrical, a sunroom addition in the back, a dormer and finished space in the attic of the carriage house, new kitchen counter tops and a new chimney for the fireplace.  They did a lovely job and were careful to preserve all the beautiful vintage elements and character.  Our hats go off to them!

The other house at the rear of the property was eventually remodeled as well and the family had moved over there years ago. Shell’s Cottage had been sitting empty, for the most part, for many years until it was decided that it was time for it to be sold. Included with the house was the side yard lot and a good piece of the ball field – home plate, the backstop and third base!

We are so pleased that the stars aligned and we were in the right place at the right time to become the new caretakers of a piece of Oregon history!