Oregon Writers Colony (OWC) was formed by a group of passionate writers with a dream who coalesced around their mentor, Don James, a well-respected author and writing instructor at Portland State University. After Don died in 1993, the group stayed together, keeping the dream of establishing a permanent writers’ retreat on the Oregon coast, which writers could use for projects and classes.

In 1980, several members of the group formed the OWC organizing committee. Most of them became founding board members when, in 1983, Oregon Writers Colony, Inc. received IRS 501(c)(3) non-profit status.

Oregon Writers Colony began manifesting its goals straightaway by presenting writers’ conferences and workshops and holding creative gatherings of Oregon writers committed to the same vision.

In 1988, with a generous gift from member Jean Auel and a beneficiary gift from the estate of co-founder Lola Janes, OWC purchased a log home on the ridge in Rockaway Beach overlooking the Pacific Ocean to the west and Lake Lytle to the east. The vision of a home base for Oregon writers became a reality when Colonyhouse opened its doors.

Colonyhouse was built in 1936 by John Steiner, whose family built many log cabins along the Oregon coast and worked on Timberline Lodge on Mount Hood.

The showpiece of Oregon Writers Colony is at the north end of Rockaway Beach, perched atop the ridge between the Pacific Ocean to the west  and Lake Lytle, backed by wooded hillsides, to the east. It offers a spacious living room with a twenty-foot-high riverstone fireplace, three large bedrooms, and an updated, fully equipped kitchen. The rustic interior, with hand-hewn logs, carved door handles and latches, and hammered iron fixtures, delight the eye and add to the seaside ambiance.