Back in the seventies, my folks and Ted Holway had a running discussion about getting Oysterville listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Mom and Dad were interested in attaining that status for the village as a way of protecting its “old-fashioned charm.” Ted felt it would make Oysterville “popular” and he foresaw problems with that.
As it turned out, there was truth in both sides of the argument. Oysterville, as a National Historic District, has been able to put some restrictions in place with the result that we have no neon signs, trailers, mobile homes, or other “intrusions.” On the other hand, we have ten to twenty thousand visitors a year according to the guest register in the church. For a village that boasts only two or three dozen structures, that seems ample evidence of our popularity,
My cousin Abby has a different take on it. “My god, Oysterville has become a theme park!” she exclaimed not long ago. I think that was in reference to the recent wedding in the lane or perhaps to the strangers who stopped to take in the regatta a week or so later.
In a way, I agree with her. The other day I came upon a photographer and his assistant who were posing their “models” near the Monterey Cypress trees up the street. I asked if they minded me taking a picture of them (“Not at all!”) and we had a brief conversation. It turned out that these were not models at all – just a couple posing for a portrait.
“You’ve probably seen me here before,” said the photographer. “Oysterville is one of my favorite backdrops.”
I have, indeed, seen many photographers taking pictures around town, mostly at the church. Artists often set up their easels in the churchyard – sometimes a whole flock of them who are taking a class. Recordings have been made inside “because of the wonderful acoustics” and various homes have served as backdrops for magazine ads or television commercials.
Not for a minute do I regret that Oysterville has protected itself against ‘progress’ by being on the National Register. I don’t even mind that we have become “popular” as Ted predicted. But, I have to confess that after a long, busy summer, I am beginning to look forward to the seasonal lull that inevitably comes with the first stormy weather. Ours seems to be a fair weather popularity and that’s just fine with me!
Yes, Sydney, true lovers of Oysterville and the entire Peninsula love her in all of her guises. I think it was Labor Day ’89 that the cartoon in the Observer was a local waving goodbye to the tourists. Love to have them come and spend money, glad to see them go. Still have the Rod Run to get through since they moved it to the weekend after Labor Day.
Ha ha, Stephanie, that’s funny, but it’s also true, given the local economy. Rod Run week is a great week NOT to be on the peninsula, even though I certainly have some respect for those people who restore “old” things (if only the “old” things weren’t so darned noisy). However, I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: why do seemingly able-bodied people go into the church to get a copy of the Oysterville Walking Tour and then proceed to drive it? Shoot, I go to the village after busy days just to walk the village and absorb the calmness and peacefulness. If I had any memory cells left I could probably quote Sydney’s walking tour sheet verbatim after all these years (still have–somewhere–the sheet I pickup up 25 years ago)! Really, folks, walk the walking tour–it’s worth it.