ORAL HISTORY PROJECT

Interviews, Transcripts and Stories

” . . . a discarded newspaper describing homestead land in Oregon was enough to lure her to embark on a 2,000 mile journey from El Reno, Oklahoma. Mattie’s husband had deserted her and their family of 5 children. Their only possessions were a team of work horses, a wagon, shotgun, bedding and a few cooking utensils. With $10, they set out for Oregon in April, of 19ll.”

The Oral History Project began in 1976 to interview descendants of Florence and Siuslaw Valley pioneer families who began arriving in Florence in the late 1800’s. Many came to acquire homestead land, farm, or develop commercial industries such as fishing and logging. They endured hardship, struggles, failures and success to create a life which was to become significant in the history of shaping our town.

Though on hiatus for a number of years, the Oral History Project resumed in late 2021. In addition to pioneer descendants, also included are interviews with long-time residents who contributed to the development of the area. The Oral History Project is on-going with additional interviews and stories are added each month.

Stories can be viewed by clicking the link in the list below. Interview audio and transcripts are available for public viewing by appointment only in the museum’s on-site Kyle Research Library on Tuesdays and Thursdays, noon to 4 p.m. Contact the library (541-997-7884, ext. 1) for further information. The following index is updated on a periodic bases.

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AKERLY, LesTranscript1976
BARRETT, Anna ParkerTranscript1976
BERNHARDT, Ralph and JuanitaTranscript1975
BUGBEE, TedTranscript1975
BUSS, FredTranscript1975
CAMP, CharlieTranscript1975
CHRISTENSEN, MarieAudio, Transcript1976
CHRISTENSEN, MartinAudio, Transcript1976
COLE, JamesTranscript1975
COLEMAN, MattieStory2022
DAHLIN, VerusTranscript1976
DAVID, RayTranscript1976
DICK, BelleTranscript1975
DICKSON, Alice CarleTranscript1977
DOWELL, RoderickTranscript1976
ELLINGSON, Joe and PearlTranscript1976
ELLINGSON, LyndallTranscript1976
ESTEP, Ron and BeverlyAudio, Story, Transcript2021
FRANCISCO, ForestTranscript1975
FUNKE, ErnieTranscript1975
Gardiner, MaxineTranscript
HARING, Amos and ClaraStory2022
HARING, GladysTranscript1975
HERRING, KeithAudio, Transcript, Story2022
HOGELAND, RonAudio, Story, Transcript2022
HUNTINGTON, Noland "Judd"Transcript1976
HUNTINGTON, WaltTranscript1976
JENSEN, FREDAudio2001
JENSEN, LorenceTranscript1976
JOHNSON, ElsieTranscript1977
JOHNSON, Milo and CoraTranscript1976
JOHNSON, WayneTranscript
KARNOWSKY, BillTranscript1976
KOPANG, Lily FosbackTranscript1975
KYLE, EmmaTranscript1975
KYLE, MelTranscript1977
LANDWEHR, EleanorTranscript1976
LANE, Squire and LillianTranscript1976
MARTIN, Ethel MillerTranscript1976
MARTIN, MillardTranscript1976
MARTIN, RayTranscript1976
MARTIN, CarlTranscript
MASON, IngaTranscript1976
MCKENNEY, BurnisTranscript1977
MEADOWS, Leo and LauraTranscript1977
MERZ, ShirleyAudio, Story, Transcript2022
MILES, DanTranscript1975
MILLER, Laura JohnsonTranscript1975
MYRICK, ChuckAudio, Story, Transcript2022
NORDAHL, TrygueTranscript1975
PLAEP, George and OlgaTranscript1976
SAUBERT, John F. William, Dr.Story2021
SAUBERT, SteveAudio, Story, Transcript2021
SCOTT, LilahTranscript1975
SEVERY, MargeTranscript1975
SEVERY, WaltTranscript1976
SHIRLEY, Ben and LulaTranscript1976
SLONECKER, BudTranscript1976
SNEDDON, TomAudio, Story, Transcript2021
STAFFORD, KimTranscript1976
SWEET, BlaiseTranscript
SWEET, ZaraTranscript
TATOM, Ed and AlmaTranscript1976
TAYLOR, LoisTranscript
TOMPKINS, Neil and D.Transcript
ULMAN, Richard Dr. and ArlisAudio, Story, Transcript2021
VAN BIBBER, GoldieStory2021
VANDERBERG, Warren and EllaTranscript1976
WHEELER, Lillian SanbornTranscript1976
WILLIAMS, BeatriceTranscript1975
WOOSLEY, MargaretTranscript1976