ROGUE WANDERER: Time travel to a T-Rex on the Oregon Coast
Published 7:00 am Thursday, March 13, 2025
A friendly T-Rex greets visitors to the Prehistoric Gardens just outside of Port Orford on the Oregon Coast. (Peggy Dover photo)
Prehistoric Gardens has been around since 1955, but the lush rainforest that’s home to the dinos is over 300 years old. (Peggy Dover photo)
The Brachiosaur at Prehistoric Gardens stands 46 feet tall and 86 feet long. (Peggy Dover photo)
At the Prehistoric Gardens gift shop I found the perfect clunky restaurant-style mug with a dino and Prehistoric Gardens printed on it. (Peggy Dover photo)
Last week, I shared a terrifying drive through the storm of storms on the way to Bandon-by-the-Sea. By day two, all was as smooth as double-churned butter and twice as sweet for having endured the rage.
We made our regular visit to Coastal Mist Chocolates, where I indulge raging chocolate demands. Lane generally produces a wonderful painting or two to deliver to Carrie at Second Street Gallery. This time it was a large black and white titled, “Angelina’s Mood,” a water media piece of a vintage fishing boat at drydock that is indeed moody. Carrie’s roomy storefront offers a diverse selection of fine art, jewelry, and pottery, to satisfy every taste. We enjoy a wander throughout the bright and spacious gallery to see what’s new.
The highlight of this trip involved a long-overdue journey in the way-back machine to reminisce with old, scaly friends I hadn’t clapped eyes on in over 30 years. Twenty-three life sized dinosaurs awaited us behind the admission window of … Prehistoric Gardens. The address is in Port Orford, appropriately the oldest town on the Oregon Coast, but don’t get discouraged as you sail through PO from the north. It’s between Port Orford and Gold Beach. You’ll know you’ve arrived when you see the toothy host Tyrannosaurus Rex beckoning you welcome.
Prehistoric Gardens has been around since 1955, but the lush rainforest that’s home to the dinos is over 300 years old. The attraction is a family owned and run operation that was started by a former CPA and sculptor E.V. “Ernie” Nelson who birthed a vision of creating something unique for the whole family. What could be better for a dinosaur enthusiast than making a trip to the Smithsonian in New York to make sure his replicas were scientifically accurate, then setting to work creating them in his own private rainforest.
The Brachiosaur was Ernie’s pride and joy, and it’s super impressive. The giant herbivore was built onsite and stands 46 feet tall and 86 feet long, taking four years to complete.
Anytime I hear about someone following through on a positive long-held vision, it brings me joy. I mean, who would conceive of taking on a challenge like this unless it was their destiny? It reminds me of the Petersen Rock Gardens. Petersen, a Danish immigrant had been a farmer. He didn’t start building his incredible miniature rock buildings near Bend until he was 52. These were just normal dudes who had this big, quirky idea and it worked, and people still think it’s cool.
Anyway, Lane and I enjoyed our self-guided tour through the rainforest and read up on the various critters. I tried to imagine living in that time and coming across some of these specimens while out for a stroll. Even the harmless plant-eaters were impressively large.
Lane is an avowed slug hater and kept looking over his shoulder for possible Jurassic-sized slime cylinders. Then he wondered if they had any slug fossils. I’ll just leave that right there and let you think about it. OK, so I had to Google it and guess what. “Someone” had evidence of a half billion-year-old spiny slug fossil. A slug that old shouldn’t have the nerve to leave behind remnants. Now I know you don’t have to contain bones to become a fossil, but it helps.
We spent quality time in the gift shop where I found the perfect clunky restaurant-style mug with a dino and Prehistoric Gardens printed on it. I also bought a magnet to further clutter my refrigerator and to remind me of yet another tourist spot I’ve happily supported. Soon, I want to revisit the Redwood National Park and do the drive-thru tree or interview Paul Bunyan, or whatever they have.
Life teems with interesting bits and fascinating people. I hope to bring many more to the page.
Visit Prehistoric Gardens and take the littles. Daughter Emily was about 7 when we took her. Entry fee is $14 for adults, $12 for seniors, kids 3-12 are $10 and two or under are free. They’re open year-round for your exploration pleasure. Unfortunately, Bigfoot deigned to show.
Peggy Dover is a writer/author. Reach her at peggydover@gmail.com.
