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DEL PHELPS
Del Phelps has had an interest in history for as long as he can remember. He claims it likely is due to knowing how his grandparents came to Oregon, homesteaded, and raised their family there. His grandfather, Jonathan C. Phelps was a Civil War veteran, and came West in 1885 with his wife (Charlotte) and family. “They came from Indiana with 5 children by train to San Francisco, then by schooner to Portland.”
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OLD WHISKERS
The following story appeared in the 1948 Siuslaw Pioneer booklet. No author was credited, and its authenticity may very well be questionable, but worthy of a chuckle. It’s as much a fishing story as it is about a ‘lucky day’ on the river. “ . . ....
ROGER MCCORKLE
School Teacher and Community Leader A long-time resident of Florence for over 57 years, Roger McCorkle is someone who has devoted much of his life to community service and the history of Florence. Born in Vancouver, WA, his parents (Dean and Alice)...
A CHAT WITH A FORMER NEWSPAPER EDITOR
“Life takes you to places, but you have to be open, flexible.” ROBERT ("BOB") SERRA It was a chance glance at a picture of the Heceta Lighthouse on the back of a magazine that made a lasting impression on Bob Serra. He grew up in Chicago and...
FISHING ON THE SIUSLAW
During the 1850’s, Jeff Campbell’s family had a homestead in the Fernridge Lake area of Veneta. Jeff’s grandfather, Chester Lieu (“Cap”) Campbell lived on River Road in Eugene and often fished on the Siuslaw River. Fishing was always a good way to...
A BOY SCOUT CAMP RANGER
JOE DOYLEAlton F. Baker Boy Scout Camp I had met Joe Doyle several years ago, but we hardly spoke, and I never knew much about him. That is, until an icebox from the 1900’s prompted me to get in touch with him. Joe was born in 1930. He...
A DAY IN THE LIFE OF A MUSEUM DOCENT
Wander into the Siuslaw Pioneer Museum and our docents are on hand to greet you with a warm welcome. They provide a brief introduction of our former schoolhouse building and a short explanation of the museum’s exhibits. You are encouraged to roam...
ORAL HISTORY CASSETTES CONVERTED to CD
The Siuslaw Pioneer Museum has completed its project of converting cassette tapes from its Oral History project to CDs. These CDs are available for public viewing at the museum’s on-site Kyle Research Library. Copies of the digitized collection...
WOODEN TRAIN RE-DISCOVERED
It began with a chance “re-discovery” of a boxed up, wooden train in disrepair. Siuslaw Pioneer Museum curator, Sandy Zinn went searching for a spare box. She happened upon the tucked away treasure in a corner of the storage room. Opening the box...
CURATING AN EXHIBIT
Sandy Zinn, Museum Interim-Curator A Glimpse Into What Get's Displayed The Siuslaw Pioneer Museum has been fortunate to receive many items and artifacts for its collection. Exhibits and displays are obtained from local pioneer families,...
REMEMBERING the MANY FACES of OUR MUSEUM…Over Time
Some are still with us and some are just memories, good memories.... In reminisce, I think back of Eileen Huntington, a city girl who married Judd Huntington, a North Fork rancher. At some point Eileen realized that the Siuslaw Pioneer Association...