Exploration along the Northwest Coast of North America was difficult for the Europeans.  The climate was at least as rugged as the coastline and mighty mountains.  So, the first explorers used the old word for a very big wind:  ORKAN, which over time became Oregon. 

Explorers and trappers, miners and a few farmers and ranchers came to Oregon sometimes overland like the famous duo Lewis and Clark.  Few, very few made there way to the Land of the Oregon Myrtle, to the land north from Brookings to Florence and inland up the Wild Rogue, the Sixes, the Elk, the Coquille, the Coos and the Umpqua, up rivers navigable only near their mouths.   The rocky coast kept seafarers to sightings more than landings.  Vancouver claims to have met natives who were curious, mild and peaceable. 

Many local authors offer historic approaches adjusted to feature local heritage:

Ethel Taylor gives a summary on her website.

The Coos Historical and Maritime Museum offers a chronology.