Sumpter Valley Dredge State Heritage Area: Sumpter, Oregon

In the middle of the 19th century, all around our newly established state, people began discovering gold. The southern Oregon gold rush in Josephine County began in the 1850s, Bohemia Johnson discovered gold in the Bohemia mines in 1863, and the town of Canyon City in eastern Oregon swelled to a population of 10,000 (larger than Portland …

Lost Towns: Lane County Historical Museum Exhibit

In the days before log trucks, automation, or heli-logging, sawmills were built closer to the woods. Here in south Lane County, they sprang up along the O&SE Rail line (now the Row River Trail) to take advantage of the railroad. In some instances, whole communities would surround the mill, like the sawmill at Prune Hill. When I …

Kam Wah Chung State Heritage Site: John Day, Oregon

By today’s standards, John Day Oregon would be considered a small town and in the 1880s it was even smaller, with a population under 300 people. However just outside the city limits along the banks of Canyon Creek stood a bustling community of at least 1,000 Chinese immigrants, the largest Chinese community in eastern Oregon. The …

Siuslaw Pioneer Museum: Florence

Old Town in Florence is usually abuzz with tourists enjoying the shops, restaurants, and views of the Siuslaw River along Bay Street. For me, part of the charm of Old Town is the sense of history that I get as I walk down the street or dine in one of the restaurants. Located in the heart …

Linn County Historical Museum: Brownsville

I have read many good things about the Linn County Historical Museum; so earlier this year when I found myself in Brownsville doing research on their Stand By Me filming locations, I made sure to have time for a visit. Since 1984, the museum has been located in the old Brownsville train depot (circa 1895) which was …

Lights on at Cottage Grove Museum

We love seeing the lights on at the Cottage Grove Museum with its historic stained glass windows lit up for all to see. Each of the windows in the museum -- which was originally built in 1897 as the Catholic Church -- depicts a unique symbol of Christianity. Seven of the eight windows are original …

Thompson’s Mills State Heritage Site: Shedd

The first time I saw a picture of Thompson’s Flouring Mill, I knew I wanted to see it in person. Later, when I learned that it is the oldest water-powered grist mill in the state and is open for tours, I knew I had to experience this historic site for myself. Located an hour north …

Siuslaw Interpretive Center: Florence

The next time you are in Old Town Florence, head to the west end of Bay Street and enjoy the new Siuslaw Interpretive Center. We've been watching this new park being developed for the past couple years, and during my last visit to Florence I discovered that the interpretive signs have finally been installed. Though …

Cottage Grove Museum

The building which now houses the Cottage Grove Museum has had a visible presence in Cottage Grove since its construction in 1897. Its unique octagonal shape makes it easy to see, as this photo taken in 1903 from Mt. David clearly shows. According to “Golden Was the Past,” prior to the building of the church, …

Lowell Covered Bridge and Interpretive Center

Several years ago, as we were coming home down Highway 58, we needed to stop a minute and stretch our legs. We pulled into the parking lot at the Lowell Covered Bridge expecting to just walk around and view the bridge. We were surprised to find a wonderful little wayside and Interpretive Center. Since then, …