This photograph, taken by F. Sowell around 1912, shows Edward Klees pulling taffy at Oaks Amusement Park. Image credit: Oregon History Project. My oldest memory tied to Portland's Oaks Park mostly reminds me of the Don McLean song American Pie. When it was first popular on the radio, early in the 1970s, I was an … Continue reading Oaks Park: Portland’s Coney Island on the Willamette
Old Oregon
In appreciation of Oregon’s Century Farms
Fiala Farms Note: I wrote this blog earlier this year, but never posted it. It was one of three blogs I either crafted or updated to complete the topics I felt needed to be represented in my February 2020 released e-book: THEN, NOW, AND IN-BETWEEN: Place, Memories, and Loss in Oregon. Today, while on a … Continue reading In appreciation of Oregon’s Century Farms
Oregon, football and stadiums: a recap
When I first wrote the blog Early Portland and the flying pigskin I had no idea I was merely scratching the surface of this fascinating topic. And, whereas I frequently remind folks that I am no historian, I do find the stories I have learned to be an interesting and welcoming distraction during these times … Continue reading Oregon, football and stadiums: a recap
Zoom back to the future for football
Photo courtesy of the Multnomah Athletic Club Since you’re watching rerun sporting events on television, why not join the West Linn Historical Society to learn about football and its earliest roots in Oregon? Who were those first football players in Portland and where did they play? When was the first college game played in Oregon, … Continue reading Zoom back to the future for football
Stories of our generation: Mount St. Helens
Each generation holds memories unique to a time period, influenced by place. I have no doubt all of us alive today will forever remember the impact the novel coronavirus makes on our lives, creating unique but oddly similar stories, many of them sad. For people living in the Pacific Northwest on May 18, 1980, the … Continue reading Stories of our generation: Mount St. Helens
Masks and quarantines: Spanish Flu to COVID-19
During my last in-person visit with Mom, prior to the current ban on visitors, I likened aspects of today's situation to her growing up during World War II and the Depression. While circumstances and details are vastly different, I related to her how daily life was changed and people made sacrifices then, as now. Although … Continue reading Masks and quarantines: Spanish Flu to COVID-19
What about that deck of cards?
With two book events cancelled last week - strangely one to a weird mid-March snow storm - I decided to take advantage of a virtual world I sometimes complain about. For some time I've been meaning to explain a bit more about the 1909 deck of Portland & Columbia Gorge Playing Cards I was gifted … Continue reading What about that deck of cards?
About those ferries
Canby Ferry, October 27, 2019. Our dad loved ferries. We grew up ferrying across the Willamette River on the Canby Ferry, and back when I was little, we crossed the mouth of the Columbia by ferry between Astoria, Oregon, and Megler, Washington enroute to the Long Beach Peninsula. Rivers fill me, through and through. The … Continue reading About those ferries
The first house and early Rose City roses
Yes, I do believe I wear a flashing invitation: come tell me when your family arrived in Oregon. I have been eager to hear stories from those "newer" to the state, along with those natives who hold the longest residency. Last week I blogged about my new friend Nancy, whose descendants include Etienne Lucier (French … Continue reading The first house and early Rose City roses
Time for another Ignite: History on Fire
Today is the fourth West Linn Ignite: History on Fire, sponsored by the West Linn Historical Society. Join us from 4:00 - 5:00 pm at the Willamette Ale & Cider House (1720 Willamette Falls Drive, West Linn). Here's what's "on tap" for history shorts: Greg Nokes: The Troubled Life of Peter Burnett Pam Krecklow: Historic … Continue reading Time for another Ignite: History on Fire
Dede's Books and blog 