Vernonia Pioneer Museum-A New Addition to an Old Heritage

This Vernonia Oregon historical building is recognized nationally, and is registered as an Historic Place being described as the Oregon American Lumber Company Mill Office. Built in 1924, it is #52 on the Walking Tour.

Oregon American Mill Office Oregon American Mill Office Walking Tour#52

The Vernonia Pioneer Museum includes artifacts from throughout the county. You will see a variety of rocks and other items from the local Native American tribes. Admission is free and it is a wonderful place for families to visit. Vernonia Museum is an ADA accessible building. We welcome groups, but appointments are encouraged.

Vernonia Pioneer Museum Hours Sign

In addition to that, we have logging information, pictures and tools, as well as items depicting the life of early settlers in the Nehalem Valley region. Vernonia Pioneer Museum

Back in the 20s, it used to be quite the boomtown, with a whole bunch of millhouses being built to house the influx of loggers and their families.

There is a recent new addition to add to Vernonia's nod to their heritage at the front entrance leading into the Vernonia Pioneer Museum. He’s a Greeter of sorts…a modern day pioneer, maybe and still living, even though this version of him is made out of carved wood.

His name is Mike Pihl and he and his company have kept the logging business going in this bedroom community through hard times and good times. This depiction bores a striking resemblance. Mike is also one of the stars of a reality show called Ax Men, the History Channel's show about loggers' lives. Mike has 40 employees mostly Vernonia residents, so he spreads the wealth locally. He always seems to help the underdog; people who can't seem to get hired anywhere else will be given a chance by Mike.

“People ask me why I’m a logger,”Pihl said. “I tell them I like the smell of the forest.”

I have a personal reason for thanking Mike Pihl. In the first few months of 2006, as a new broker withVernonia Realty, Mike was my VERY FIRST CLIENT. He didn’t know me, but thanks to our past Principal Broker of Vernonia Realty, Derl Roberts (and lifelong friend of Mike’s) he wanted to get me kick-started, so as a favor, Mike allowed me to be his selling realtor for the vacant lot he was purchasing. All went smoothly, I got my first check (a VERY SMALL AMOUNT) and they all laughed at me because I was SO excited to get my first check and make it official!