Colonyhouse

Colonyhouse is a historic three-bedroom, two-bathroom log cabin in Rockaway Beach, Oregon. It is a world-class writers’ residency owned and operated by Oregon Writers Colony, a 501(c)(3) corporation managed by the board of directors.

From the windows you can see Lake Lytle and the forested Coast Range to the east and the Pacific Ocean to the west. Occasionally, in the afternoon, the Oregon Coast Scenic Railway train goes by with passengers waving friendly greetings as they pass. Less than a half-block away is a sandy beach, where you can walk for miles and back.

From the house, you can walk to the beach town of Rockaway Beach, where you’ll find restaurants, a grocery store, coffee and gift shops, and a fine fish market. 

Oregon Writers Colony offers members access to the Colonyhouse, a wonderful house with a log cabin interior. Colonyhouse is located in Rockaway Beach and affords spectacular views of the Oregon coast.

Members of Oregon Writers Colony may reserve the Colonyhouse for individual or group retreats.

On the main floor of the house is a well-equipped kitchen, a big dining table, a large living room with comfy chairs and a big stone fireplace, and a sunny enclosed porch overlooking the ocean. The house has wi-fi and a small printer.

The house hosts frequent writing workshops and retreats and is also available for weekend and weekday writing use by Oregon Writers Colony members.

History of Colonyhouse

Founding members of Oregon Writers Colony bought the three-story log house in 1988.

What is now Colonyhouse was built in 1936 by John Steiner, son of Henry Steiner, who with sons John and Henry later worked on Timberline Lodge on Mount Hood. The Steiners built a number of cabins in Oregon in the 1920s and ’30s.

The hallmarks of a Steiner cabin include hand-cut and peeled logs, porches supported by forked trees, large fireplaces crafted from glacier or river rock, stair rails fashioned from naturally curved logs, and doorknobs and shelves carved from roots or uniquely shaped branches. The Colonyhouse is a stunning example of John Steiner’s Pacific Northwest craftsmanship.

As a member of Oregon Writers Colony, you may reserve the house for private use or sign up for one of the Writers’ Weekends or other workshops. The house is not available for use by the general public.

Learn more about Using Colonyhouse or contact OWC for more information.