The Story Behind Lakeside’s Incorporation — How a Small Town Became Its Own City

Lakeside, Oregon may feel like a peaceful, tucked-away community, but its journey to becoming an incorporated city is one filled with determination, local pride, and a commitment to shaping its own future. While many small towns on the Oregon Coast grew organically through settlements and industry, Lakeside took a unique route—one defined by grassroots organization and a desire for autonomy.

Understanding Lakeside’s incorporation helps explain why the town feels the way it does today: self-governed, community-oriented, and devoted to preserving its natural beauty and small-town lifestyle. It’s one of the reasons many homeowners fall in love with the area—and one of the stories Sydney Shapiro with Shapiro Home Group eXp Realty often shares with those considering a move here.

Before Incorporation: A Community Without a City Structure

Up until the early 1970s, Lakeside operated as a loosely structured community, not an official city. Residents relied on county-level services for infrastructure, public safety, and planning. For decades this worked reasonably well, especially when Lakeside’s population was smaller and its needs modest.

However, several challenges emerged over time:

• growing tourism and recreational use of Tenmile Lake

• increasing residential development

• the need for more cohesive public works

• improved road maintenance

• local control over zoning and land use

• the desire for a community identity

As more families, fishermen, retirees, and lake-loving visitors chose Lakeside as home, residents realized that becoming an official city would allow them greater influence over how their growing community was shaped.

A Push for Local Control

Throughout the late 1960s and early 1970s, residents began meeting informally to discuss the benefits of incorporation. Lakeside’s identity was becoming stronger, and locals wanted the ability to:

• manage their own tax revenue

• improve road systems

• develop public spaces

• make decisions about growth

• protect the lakes and surrounding natural areas

• support business development

A formal city structure would give Lakeside the authority to do all of this.

1974: Lakeside Becomes an Official City

After years of discussion and community input, Lakeside was officially incorporated in 1974. This was a pivotal moment in the town’s history. Incorporation allowed residents to elect their own mayor and city council, establish city departments, and direct future development in a way that aligned with community values.

This independence set Lakeside apart from other non-incorporated coastal communities. Locals wanted more than simply to exist—they wanted to take ownership of their town’s future.

Early Investments and Improvements

Once incorporated, Lakeside began focusing on several key areas:

1. Infrastructure and Roads

Better roads were essential for safety and tourism. Lakeside invested in grading, paving, and maintaining streets throughout residential and recreational areas.

2. Water and Public Services

City leadership worked toward improving access to clean water and reliable utilities, which created a better foundation for future housing growth.

3. Community Spaces

Parks, boat launches, and public recreation areas became priorities, supporting the lakeside lifestyle the town is known for today.

4. Zoning and Land Preservation

Incorporation gave Lakeside authority over land use planning, ensuring growth didn’t compromise natural beauty or small-town charm.

A Community With Its Own Voice

With incorporation came a deeper sense of pride. Lakeside residents felt more connected to local government and more empowered to participate in shaping the town’s direction.

This spirit of involvement is still alive today. Lakeside’s community meetings, volunteer opportunities, and neighborhood projects reflect the same values that drove incorporation: collaboration, stewardship, and safeguarding the town’s future.

How Incorporation Influenced Real Estate

Local control allowed Lakeside to create development guidelines that supported:

• lakefront living

• rural and wooded properties

• recreational access to dunes and trails

• quiet neighborhoods

• preservation of natural environments

This has kept Lakeside appealing to homebuyers who value peace, recreation, and community connection. Many modern homeowners are drawn to the balance Lakeside has achieved between growth and preservation.

That’s why Sydney Shapiro with Shapiro Home Group eXp Realty finds Lakeside so easy to introduce to clients—its structure and values make it a standout coastal community.

Why Incorporation Still Matters Today

Lakeside continues to thrive not because of its size, but because of its identity. Becoming an incorporated city allowed residents to:

• maintain their independence

• control development

• protect their environmental treasures

• create a safe, well-planned community

This history helps newcomers understand that Lakeside’s charm is no accident—it was built intentionally by people who loved the town enough to protect it.

Final Thoughts

The incorporation of Lakeside is more than a bureaucratic milestone—it’s a symbol of community pride and vision. It laid the groundwork for the peaceful, welcoming, recreation-rich town people appreciate today.

For those exploring Lakeside as a place to call home, learning about this part of the town’s history is a powerful reminder of how deeply residents care about their community. And when buyers work with Sydney Shapiro with Shapiro Home Group eXp Realty, they get not only real estate guidance, but also a true understanding of the town’s roots and identity.