Search History Archives
Greetings:
Many of you will remember Keith Stephenson’s two OLHD presentations on Portland Trolleys. Here is a fun blog posting about the short-lived Portland Cable Railway Company — pre-OSHA days! I thought you might enjoy it.
Mike Schmeer
Chairman, Oak Lodge History Detectives
“In 1890 the German Methodists in Oak Grove-Milwaukie purchased a 5-acre plot above the river at Oak Grove for a campground. Steamboats made regular stops at the bank below the grounds to let off and take on passengers for camp meetings and after-church picnics.”1
The camp meeting came west with the pioneer wagon trains in the 1840s. Originally a chance for isolated pioneer families to attend religious events and spend a few days in recreational activities with other families, camp meetings evolved over time to include not only church services and revival events but also educational programs and youth camps. Newspaper accounts suggest Oak Grove’s German Methodist camp ground was still in use in 1920.
It appears remnants of the early Oak Grove camp ground still exist in several meandering streets which today somewhat follow early paths on the property. The actual German Methodist Church of Oak Grove was located at the corner of Courtney Avenue and River Road until the 1950s.
Further research by OLHD is expected to determine the extent of the Oak Grove Camp Meeting grounds.
There was a second camp meeting in Oak Lodge, the Jennings Lodge Camp Ground established by the Evangelical Church, which began in 1905, and operated continuously until the end of 2013. Altogether Clackamas County had some six or seven camp meeting sites. Only Canby Grove Camp still operates in 2015.
Join us in the search for more history of the Oak Grove Camp Meeting and share what you learn!
—
1 Lynch, Vera, Free Land for Free Men, 1973, Artline Printing, Portland, Oregon, following page 548.
This article as a PDF: Oak-Grove-camp-meeting-site
THURSDAY APRIL 9th
7:00 P.M.
OAK LODGE WATER DISTRICT OFFICES
14496 S.E. River Rd. @ Maple St.
Greetings Detectives:
This month the Oak Lodge History Detectives will be welcoming spring with guest speaker Christina Robertson-Gardiner, Planner with the City of Oregon City. Christina will be telling us about the Willamette Falls Legacy Project underway in Oregon City.
From time immemorial Willamette Falls has been an important cultural place for fishing, trading and gathering for local tribes, and since the 1830’s has been used for industry. The Willamette River and Willamette Falls has had a major impact on our area’s history for hundreds of years. After more than 100 years in paper manufacturing the Blue Heron Paper Co. at the falls closed in Feb. 2011. This event provided an opportunity for Oregonians to rediscover a cultural and scenic treasure – the Willamette Falls.
Following Christina’s talk we will conduct our regular business and catch up on history projects in the works.
Please join us April 9th and learn all about the history and exciting plans for a nationally recognized historic site in our own back yard.
Mike Schmeer
Chairman, Oak Lodge History Detectives
THURSDAY MARCH 12th
7:00 P.M.
OAK LODGE WATER DISTRICT OFFICES
14496 S.E. RIVER RD. @ Maple St.
Greetings Detectives:
Besides our routine business our March meeting will consist of a roundtable question and answer period affording attendees the opportunity to raise history related questions and seek answers to them. Some of these questions may be answered by someone in attendance. If not we’ll suggest resources to get those answered, or make a note of them for future research.
This meeting will also provide an opportunity to discuss any particular direction(s) we want OLHD to take, to seek out ideas to increase our treasury, and discuss ideas for OLHD community involvement.
We will be joined by Karin Morey, Collections Manager for the Clackamas County Historical Society. Karen will be telling us what CCHS is all about, and the resources available through their society. If you’ve ever wondered where the divisions are between CCHS and the Clackamas County Family History Society, located in the same building, THIS IS THE TIME TO FIND OUT. I’m sure Karin will spell it all out for us.
OLHD considers itself a partner with CCHS. Please join us on March 12th and learn all about one of our local partners in history.
OLHD is developing a reputation in the Oak Lodge area as an active, vibrant group of individuals passionate about preserving and sharing our area’s rich history. I am proud to be a part of it and I encourage others to get involved. Please join me on March 12th and take part in some of Oak Lodge’s reminiscences.
Mike Schmeer
Chairman, Oak Lodge History Detectives
On Wednesday, Feb. 25th 2015, OLHD participated in the Oak Grove Community Council Open House held at the Oak Grove United Methodist Church.
Attendees were treated to a local history slide show, photographs, maps, artifacts, and free handouts. During the meeting portion Mike Schmeer, Chairman of OLHD was elected to a OGCC Director At Large position.
OLHD will be participating in a similar Jennings Lodge function on May 30th. Watch for a future announcement.
Bring your questions and learn how to use our records!
THURSDAY JAN 8th
7:00 P.M.
OAK LODGE WATER DISTRICT OFFICES
14496 S.E. River Rd. @ Maple St.
Greetings Detectives:
OLHD hopes that you had an enjoyable Christmas and that you will also have an enjoyable, and safe New Year’s Eve. We at OLHD are looking forward to a continuation of productive and educational history opportunities in the coming year.
Our January 2015 meeting will be entirely devoted to a presentation by long time Jennings Lodge resident Stephen Tucker – Loaiza. Stephen has spent his entire life living in the Jennings Lodge area – first right on the Willamette River and later on S.E. Rinearson. You won’t want to miss his colorful presentation on his “Life on the Willamette”.
Please join us on Jan. 8th.
Mike Schmeer
Chairman, Oak Lodge History Detectives
Here are a few pics from the December 11 meeting.
A couple slides from Keith’s presentation:
THURSDAY DEC. 11TH
7:00 P.M.
OAK LODGE WATER DISTRICT OFFICES
14496 S.E. River Rd. @ Maple St.
Greetings Detectives:
The holiday season is already upon us and folks are getting together for special occasions. For our December meeting OLHD wanted to also do something special.
Back by popular demand OLHD is excited to announce the return of local trolley enthusiast Keith Stephenson who will be presenting “Portland Trolleys – Gone But Not Forgotten, Part II”. As a continuation of his March 13th presentation Keith will be teaching us even more about the history of Portland’s trolleys from 1891 to 1958 using displays, slides, and the video “Last of the First Interurban” by David Haij.
Join us on December 11th for a fun-filled evening of trolley history!
Mike Schmeer
Chairman, Oak Lodge History Detectives
THURSDAY NOV. 13TH
7:00 P.M.
OAK LODGE WATER DISTRICT OFFICES
14496 S.E. River Rd. @ Maple St.
Greetings Detectives:
In addition to our routine business items at our next meeting we are pleased to have guest speaker Lee Spurgeon join us to talk about how Donation Land Claims (DLC’s) began in Oregon, and what was involved in mapping a great Western wilderness.
(See the flier for more info.)
Lee is a licensed professional surveyor and comes from a family of professional surveyors. Lee will share stories about the early land surveys, how they were done, where they were recorded, how you can find out more about your own property, and why it is helpful to know about the DLC that you live on. He will also discuss the geopolitical climate that spurred the United States Congress to create Donation Land Claims. Lee has his business located in downtown Oregon City in a building whose history stretches back to the 19th century, and he loves historical research.
Join us on Nov.13th for a presentation you won’t want to miss.
Mike Schmeer
Chairman, Oak Lodge History Detectives