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.
Clear the Search field for additional searches.
| AKERLY, Les | Transcript | 1976 |
|---|---|---|
| BARRETT, Anna Parker | Transcript | 1976 |
| BERNHARDT, Ralph and Juanita | Transcript | 1975 |
| BUGBEE, Ted | Transcript | 1975 |
| BUSS, Fred | Transcript | 1975 |
| CAMP, Charlie | Transcript | 1975 |
| CHRISTENSEN, Marie | Audio, Transcript | 1976 |
| CHRISTENSEN, Martin | Audio, Transcript | 1976 |
| COLE, James | Transcript | 1975 |
| COLEMAN, Mattie | Story | 2022 |
| DAHLIN, Verus | Transcript | 1976 |
| DAVID, Ray | Transcript | 1976 |
| DICK, Belle | Transcript | 1975 |
| DICKSON, Alice Carle | Transcript | 1977 |
| DOWELL, Roderick | Transcript | 1976 |
| ELLINGSON, Joe and Pearl | Transcript | 1976 |
| ELLINGSON, Lyndall | Transcript | 1976 |
| ESTEP, Ron and Beverly | Audio, Story, Transcript | 2021 |
| FRANCISCO, Forest | Transcript | 1975 |
| FUNKE, Ernie | Transcript | 1975 |
| Gardiner, Maxine | Transcript | |
| HARING, Amos and Clara | Story | 2022 |
| HARING, Gladys | Transcript | 1975 |
| HERRING, Keith | Audio, Transcript, Story | 2022 |
| HOGELAND, Ron | Audio, Story, Transcript | 2022 |
| HUNTINGTON, Noland "Judd" | Transcript | 1976 |
| HUNTINGTON, Walt | Transcript | 1976 |
| JENSEN, FRED | Audio | 2001 |
| JENSEN, Lorence | Transcript | 1976 |
| JOHNSON, Elsie | Transcript | 1977 |
| JOHNSON, Milo and Cora | Transcript | 1976 |
| JOHNSON, Wayne | Transcript | |
| KARNOWSKY, Bill | Transcript | 1976 |
| KOPANG, Lily Fosback | Transcript | 1975 |
| KYLE, Emma | Transcript | 1975 |
| KYLE, Mel | Transcript | 1977 |
| LANDWEHR, Eleanor | Transcript | 1976 |
| LANE, Squire and Lillian | Transcript | 1976 |
| MARTIN, Ethel Miller | Transcript | 1976 |
| MARTIN, Millard | Transcript | 1976 |
| MARTIN, Ray | Transcript | 1976 |
| MARTIN, Carl | Transcript | |
| MASON, Inga | Transcript | 1976 |
| MCKENNEY, Burnis | Transcript | 1977 |
| MEADOWS, Leo and Laura | Transcript | 1977 |
| MERZ, Shirley | Audio, Story, Transcript | 2022 |
| MILES, Dan | Transcript | 1975 |
| MILLER, Laura Johnson | Transcript | 1975 |
| MYRICK, Chuck | Audio, Story, Transcript | 2022 |
| NORDAHL, Trygue | Transcript | 1975 |
| PLAEP, George and Olga | Transcript | 1976 |
| SAUBERT, John F. William, Dr. | Story | 2021 |
| SAUBERT, Steve | Audio, Story, Transcript | 2021 |
| SCOTT, Lilah | Transcript | 1975 |
| SEVERY, Marge | Transcript | 1975 |
| SEVERY, Walt | Transcript | 1976 |
| SHIRLEY, Ben and Lula | Transcript | 1976 |
| SLONECKER, Bud | Transcript | 1976 |
| SNEDDON, Tom | Audio, Story, Transcript | 2021 |
| STAFFORD, Kim | Transcript | 1976 |
| SWEET, Blaise | Transcript | |
| SWEET, Zara | Transcript | |
| TATOM, Ed and Alma | Transcript | 1976 |
| TAYLOR, Lois | Transcript | |
| TOMPKINS, Neil and D. | Transcript | |
| ULMAN, Richard Dr. and Arlis | Audio, Story, Transcript | 2021 |
| VAN BIBBER, Goldie | Story | 2021 |
| VANDERBERG, Warren and Ella | Transcript | 1976 |
| WHEELER, Lillian Sanborn | Transcript | 1976 |
| WILLIAMS, Beatrice | Transcript | 1975 |
| WOOSLEY, Margaret | Transcript | 1976 |