Investigating the Past... with the
OAK LODGE HISTORY DETECTIVES

We are curious about local history —
and we think you are too!

EVENTS CALENDAR

Upcoming Events

May 2012 Meeting

This month's OLHD meeting will be held one week later than the usual 2nd Thursday. We will meet at the Oak Lodge Water District Offices which has a large screen and projector for viewing images.

In addition to our regular business we will discuss the latest projects and discoveries. This month's "fun facts" segment we'll feature some of the images recently donated by Gloria Laudien Stone, a grand daughter of Philip and Dora Oatfield.

Please join us on May 17th. We look forward to seeing you.

Thursday
May 17, 2012
7:00 pm
Oak Lodge Water District Offices
14496 S.E. River Rd. @ Maple St.
Oak Grove

Past Events

April 2012 Meeting

On April 12th we will be joined by Riverside School's fourth grade class of Mrs. Lightbourn to give us a short presentation about art work that they hope to have displayed along the Trolley Trail. These students have been working very hard on this project and are anxious to tell everyone about it.

For our "fun facts" segment last month Baldwin Van der Bijl gave us some interesting information about the history of Steele's Pansy Farm on Naef Rd. This month you'll hear OLHD Chairman Mike Schmeer speak a few minutes about the "Murder At McNarys", which caused a huge local stir in 1879. We are always looking for new material for our "fun facts" segment, so should any of you wish to present on a subject you've been working on please let me know prior to April 12th so I can jot it down on my agenda.

As usual we'll bring everyone up to speed on the various projects underway by members of the group, and our upcoming community presentation in May.

Please join us on April 12th. We look forward to seeing you.

Thursday
April 12, 2012
7:00 pm
Oak Grove Fire Station
2930 SE Oak Grove Blvd
Oak Grove
March 2012 Meeting

There are a number of different activities underway, and in the planning stages, within the OLHD ranks.

Please join us on March 8th to find out what's been happening, learn about member activities and help us plan for future projects. We look forward to seeing you.

Thursday
March 8, 2012
7:00 pm
Oak Lodge Water District Offices
14496 S.E. River Rd. @ Maple St.
Oak Grove
February 2012 Meeting

The Oak Lodge History Detectives is celebrating the one year anniversary of having incorporated as a 501(C)4 non-profit corporation. This month's gathering will again be held at the Bomber Wings of Freedom Museum on McLoughlin Blvd.

We'll be discussing research being done by various members, upcoming projects, and the new benefits of becoming a member.

Please come join us February 9th. We look forward to seeing you.

Thursday
February 9, 2012
7:00 pm
Bomber Wings of Freedom Museum
13515 SE McLoughlin Blvd
Oak Grove
January 2012 Meeting

Another year has passed, the holidays are over, and we've started a new year. It's time to start easing back into the local history groove. This month's meeting has been scheduled a week later than our usual 2nd Thursdays, and will be held on Jan. 19th at the offices of the Oak Lodge Water District on River Road.

We'll be trying to pick up where we left off at our last meeting on Nov. 17th which featured a "Family Scrapbook" slide show covering 150 years of the Brownell family and the Brownell Holly Farm. In addition to a little O.L.H.D. business we'll be discussing current projects happening behind the scenes and plans for 2012.

Please come join us Jan. 19th. We look forward to seeing you.

Thursday
January 19, 2012
7:00 pm
Oak Lodge Water District Offices
14496 S.E. River Rd. @ Maple St.
Oak Grove
October Bonus/Field Trip

Old House Spotting: Walk the Trolley Trail from Concord to old Oak Grove (or Courtney, time allowing)

Guided by information from the Clackamas County Historic Inventory, we'll walk a newly paved stretch of the Trolley Trail to identify/photograph/locate (using GPS) and generally learn more about historic houses on either side of the double-Aristas-- from Concord to old Oak Grove. Wear comfortable shoes plus light rain gear, if needed. (Walk will be postponed in the event of heavy rains.) Rides will be available back to the starting place where Concord crosses the trail.

Please note: This "working outing" is the first step of many to develop/publish walking guides identifying historic/notable landmarks along or near the Trolley Trail (which is due to be completed in 2012).

This Sunday
October 16, 2011
2-3:00 pm
Concord and Trolley Trail
Oak Grove
 
October meeting of the Oak Lodge History Detectives

IT'S FALL !!

Summer is over, and the fall season is upon us.

As the weather changes and our outdoor activities gradually subside we begin to enter the seasons most suited ( at least in the Pacific Northwest ) to the pursuit and preservation of history. Visits to archives and repositories, educational presentations and interviews of long time residents are a lot more fun when we know that the lawn is just too soggy to try to be mowing.

Mark your calendars for Thursday, Oct. 13th for the next Oak Lodge History Detectives meeting at 7:00 p.m. This month we'll meet at the Oak Grove Fire Station.

Our last meeting was cut short somewhat due to a power outage which left the Bomber Museum in the dark, and forced us to meet outdoors in an unlit area. When we could no longer see each other it was time to call it quits! So we'll try for a re-do of portions of that meeting, as well as address new business. Please join us.

This Thursday
October 13, 2011
7-9 pm
Oak Grove Fire Station
2930 SE Oak Grove Blvd
Oak Grove
May meeting of the Oak Lodge History Detectives

The Oak Lodge History Detectives
Invite you to Come Join Us

We will be gathering again to reflect on our accomplishments of the last two months, Including our recent Architectural Styles Workshop, and the progress of our Resident Interviews Project with Clackamas Community College.

Learn about what feedback we received as a result of the Architectural Styles Workshop, and what we've been learning from the twelve Resident Interviews that will have been completed by the time of our meeting. You'll also find out about some of the unexpected bonuses we have benefited from as a result of those interviews. You can help us discuss how we should structure the interviews we'll be doing from this point on, and present the information we're learning to the community.

WE LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOU

This Thursday
May 12, 2011
7-9 pm
Bomber Wings of Freedom Museum
13515 SE McLoughlin Blvd
Oak Grove
April meeting of the Oak Lodge History Detectives

"Tracking Local History Through Architecture"
Presented by Jane Morrison

Despite our record breaking bad weather the OLHD photography team has been doing an incredible job of gathering loads of terrific images of distinctive older homes in our neighborhood for Thursday's presentation.

Their efforts have been met with an amazing and enthusiastic response from dozens of our neighbors who were eager to have their homes showcased.

( We do apologize to that one homeowner for a misunderstanding )

If you're at all interested in history or architecture we're sure you'll enjoy the program.

We hope to see you then.

This Thursday
April 14, 2011
7-9 pm
Oak Grove Fire Station
2930 SE Oak Grove Blvd
Oak Grove
March meeting of the Oak Lodge History Detectives

This month's community workshop and meeting will feature a 1 hour presentation by Dr. Jackie Flowers, History Professor at Clackamas Community College, speaking about Oral History.

Join us as Dr. Flowers defines Oral History for us, and teaches us about the techniques involved in interviewing people to record their life experiences.

Our featured presentation will be followed by our regular monthly meeting. Attendees are invited and encouraged to stick around and find out what projects the Oak Lodge History Detectives are currently involved in, including local resident interviews, and our upcoming Oak Grove Architectural Styles workshop on April 14th.

Thursday
March 10, 2011
7-9 pm
The Bomber Wings of Freedom Museum
13515 SE McLoughkin Blvd.
Oak Grove
February meeting of the Oak Lodge History Detectives

Hello detectives, come and Celebrate!

The Oak Lodge History Detectives is now official!

Come this Thursday and become a FOUNDING MEMBER at our first OFFICIAL meeting. Membership is $15 per annum

Your dues supports an organization dedicated to promoting the place and appreciation of local history in the Oak Lodge Area.

Besides taking some time to celebrate the launching of our official status, we will be reviewing the latest with our Resident Interviews project with Jackie Flowers and Clackamas Community College, getting an update on the upcoming Oak Grove Architectural Styles Workshop by Jane Morrison, and hearing the latest about the Trolley Trail and Gladstone Library plans.

So bring your enthusiasm, bring your love for history, bring your pride of community, and if you're willing bring your checkbook. We look forward to seeing you!

Thursday
February 10, 2011
7-9 pm
 
Oak Grove Fire Station
2930 SE Oak Grove Blvd
Oak Grove
 
January meeting of the Oak Lodge History Detectives

Hello detectives!

The January meeting of the Oak Lodge History Detectives will be a followup to our November 2010 meeting at which we discussed organizational options and structure for our group. Please join us as your steering committee presents progress made as a result of our November discussion groups, and be a part of the planning process as we forge ahead into 2011.

Thursday
January 13, 2011
7-9 pm
 
The Bomber Wings of Freedom Museum
The Bomber Complex
13515 SE McLoughlin Blvd
Oak Grove
Ancient Neighbors: The Clackamas Indians — and Those Who Preceded Them

Herb Beals, author of three volumes on the history of Gladstone, Oregon, will speak on the earliest inhabitants who lived or passed through our neighborhoods. We know that some Indian children attended the area's first school, sited near one of the last Clackamas encampments on the river. We know Clackamas and settlers' children played together, some forming fast friendships. But what else? Herb will bring copies of his second volume — covering the Great Depression and WW II — to sell and sign. Volume III, Gladstone, OR: Civil War to the Evening of the Depression, will be out in June, published by the Gladstone Historical Society.

Thursday
May 13, 2010
7-9 pm
 
The Bomber Wings of Freedom Museum
The Bomber Complex
13515 SE McLoughlin Blvd
Oak Grove
Mapping Old Oak Grove (+ 99E) Businesses & Special Places

INTERACTIVE COMMUNITY MEETING — Join us to help create maps showing where things were before the trolley left town in 1958 and commerce slowed in Old OG! Who owned or ran businesses there and along McLoughlin Blvd or River Road in those days? Exactly where were the bakeries, dairies, beauty shops, egg farms or dime stores? What — and where — were the 'special places' in your neighborhood? We'll roll out the butcher paper and get your "XX"s on the record. If you weren't here at that time, then bring a neighbor — or a story from someone who was.
Co-sponsored by the Oak Lodge Detectives and New Urban High School

Thursday
April 8, 2010
7-9 pm
New Urban High School (former Oak Grove Grade School, Dist 103)
Oak Grove Blvd and Lee Avenue
Old Oak Grove Center
Conversations on Old Jennings Lodge

Long-time resident of Jennings Lodge, Winnie Gardener, will be our guest of honor. While her brother, Wilfred, wrote the book on it, Winnie was right alongside. Members researching materials from that part of Oak Lodge will also share what they're learning out about early settlers and years gone by. (Where was that Indian race track, anyway?) Come with your questions and bring a friend!

Thursday
March 11, 2010
7-9 pm
 
The Bomber Wings of Freedom Museum
The Bomber Complex
13515 SE McLoughlin Blvd
Oak Grove
Get Acquainted with Our Own History Hot Spots

After meeting in September at Broetje House, the Detectives will gather at the Oak Lodge area's only bona fide museum -- this one, celebrating the contributions of a fast shrinking generation of men and women who served the country in World War II. On the agenda: we'll meet museum owner Punky Scott, peruse interesting exhibits + consider OLHD goals for the year ahead.

Thursday
November 12
7-9 pm
 
The Bomber WWII Wings of Freedom Museum
The Bomber Complex
13515 SE McLoughlin Blvd
Oak Grove
Cracking the Code: Using Early Survey Maps & Field Notes as Source Materials

Life-long history buff Blaine Schmeer, now retired, will share his expertise as a 33 year employee of the Clackamas County Surveyors Office, placing early surveys in context and showing how to read survey maps as well as how and where to access survey materials easily. Park along River Rd or in the Rose Villa lot across from the facility.

Wednesday
November 11
7-9 pm
 
Fellowship Hall
Rose Villa Retirement Center
13505 SE River Rd
Oak Grove
Stop by the Spirit Market Place

Visit our display table and those of other history-interested groups in Clackamas County as Oregon City celebrates its very rich past! Then hop on a trolley to see and experience that past for yourself, courtesy of the Spirit of Oregon City Mobile Tour & Theatre. Check for tour fee info.

Saturday
October 24
5:30-9 pm
Pioneer Center
615 Fifth St (south of the old Fire Station)
Oregon City
The Ground We Stand On: Geology of the Oak Lodge Area

With hands-on maps and slides, popular earth sciences professor John Snively will discuss the origins, nature and influence of soil, rocks and water formed eons ago on the places we call home today. Free Parking. Arrive early to assure a seat.

Thursday
October 8, 2009
7-9 pm
Room 164 Pauling Hall
Clackamas Community College
19600 South Molalla Ave, Oregon City