by Deborah Lobey | Nov 19, 2025 | History, Posts
There are times when the task at hand can seem impossible to accomplish, but not so with a bit of help. It was many years ago when news of a ship from San Francisco had arrived in Acme (now known as Cushman) with a piano for the E. B, Miller family. Though long...
by Deborah Lobey | Nov 13, 2025 | Feature Story, Posts
We pause to acknowledge the recent passing of actress June Lockhart. Many may recall her visits to Florence as the Grand Marshal of the 1985 and 1986 Rhododendron Parades. A portion of one episode from the Lassie show had been filmed in Florence, and the town was...
by Deborah Lobey | Oct 19, 2025 | Oral History - Stories, Posts
During an era when tug boats on the Siuslaw River operated at all hours of the night, the bridge tender (Tiny Marsh) would initiate a siren prior to lifting the draw bridge for boats to pass. The night of March 27, 1964 began like any other, but that would soon...
by Deborah Lobey | Aug 7, 2025 | Oral History - Stories, Posts
The Family Behind the Phone Company “We’ve come a long way” may be an old saying, yet it sums up the evolution of long-distance communication from the days of telegraph messages to telephone. As more folks began to settle in the Siuslaw area, it became essential to...
by Deborah Lobey | Jun 29, 2025 | Posts
A look back at Florence in 1938, would reveal only two buildings on HWY 101 – a two-pump service station and the Motel Ragan. Also known as the Hotel Ragan, and Ragan Hotel, it was sold in 1976 and renamed the Lighthouse Inn. It remains an important part of...
