The first cannery on the Coquille River was started in about 1882 by D. H. Getchell in what came to be known as Prosper.[4] Prosper was founded in the summer of 1892 by Adam Pershbaker, who built a sawmill and a shipyard there.[4][5] The Emil Heuckendorff shipyard was established soon after.[6] Prosper had a post office from 1893 until 1928; Pershbaker was the first postmaster.[7] The name was likely chosen in the hope the locality would be prosperous.[7] In 1915, Prosper's population was 500, and it had two salmon canneries, and two shingle and saw mills.[3] Passenger boats traveled three times a day to Bandon and Coquille.[3]
