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Interviewed by the Oak Lodge History Detectives in April 2011 the two sisters, Adele Marie Wilder (L) [June 17, 1928 — Sept. 16, 2018] and Enid Briggs (R) talk about their Briggs and Birkemeier families’ arrival and early days near Milwaukie in Clackamas County, Oregon.
Nancy Hersey is a direct descendant of three significant pioneer families of the Oak Lodge area – the Starkweathers, Risleys and Gordons. Nancy is a daughter of the local educator, realtor, and historian Harvey G. Starkweather, a granddaughter of the Oregon Territorial Legislator and one time Oregon State Senator William A. Starkweather, and a granddaughter of local pioneer Hugh Gordon. In her 2011 interview with the Oak Lodge History Detectives Nancy talks about her family heritage and her life living in Oak Lodge.
Interviewed by the Oak Lodge History Detectives in April 2011, Sherman Washburn (Nov. 5, 1917 — June 17, 2014) talks about the history of Jennings Lodge and his lengthy time working in radio broadcasting and the early days of television. He worked with Tom McCall and interviewed Wisconsin Senator Joseph McCarthy among others.
Copyright 2018, Oak Lodge History Detectives
As part of the City of Canby’s recognition of Historic Preservation Month, a program to help people research the history of their homes will be given on May 18th at the Canby Public Library. The program is presented as a partnership between the Canby Historical Society and the Canby Public Library. Admission is free.
“Questions about the history of people’s homes are probably the most frequently asked questions posed to historical societies and libraries.”
Mike Schmeer, President of the Oak Lodge History Detectives, will present the program at 1:00, offering many tips that can be used when researching your house’s history.
Genealogy is a popular hobby in the U.S. – enjoyed by millions. But researching one’s family history requires resources.
We in the Portland metro area are fortunate in that we have the Genealogical Forum of Oregon (GFO) library – chock full of resources to help us research our family history, not only in Oregon but nationwide. The GFO is hosting its annual Open House March 16th-24th – online and on site – complete with FREE classes.
Of note will be an in-person presentation entitled “Discovering Your House’s History” by yours truly on March 23rd at 3:00 at the GFO. This topic is by far the most asked “how to” question asked of libraries and historical societies. I gave it in Estacada and Gladstone last year, and have been asked to give it again twice this year – – – so far. This presentation will give you many suggestions as to how you might go about learning more about the history of your home. Registration is required for each of the online classes.
Follow the link above to see all of the available classes, and if you’re interested in researching your house’s history consider attending the March 23rd House History presentation. It’s FREE!
Mike Schmeer
Chairman, Oak Lodge History Detectives
It has been asked where the Historic Marker is located in Jennings Lodge.
It is one block west of River Rd. on Jennings Ave., at Morse St.
The marker tells some of the history of Jennings Lodge, complete with photos. It is located on the site of the former Jennings Lodge Campground – now a housing development.
History is all around us all of the time
All we need do is look for it
The Oak Lodge History Detectives
Wishes You and Yours
and a Very Merry Christmas
We wish you the very best in the upcoming year
Over the last two weeks the Oak Lodge History Detectives succeeded in installing two historic markers on River Rd., commemorating the first two schools in the Oak Lodge area.
The idea of “first schools” historic markers was hatched six years ago when the exact location of the Oak Lodge area’s very first school, established by Orville Risley in 1856, was identified from an 1856 Clackamas County survey. That school was a log structure located at the intersection of River Rd. and Laurelwood Dr., and students from both sides of the Willamette River attended. By 1866 the student population had outgrown the little log building, so the pioneer community built a newer structure further south on River Rd., at today’s River Bluff Ct. – on what later became part of the Roethe farm. Students from today’s Lake Oswego, West Linn, Gladstone, Jennings Lodge, Oak Grove and the Concord area attended the little school. But the pioneer population continued to grow, and in 1890 the school district again needed a larger schoolhouse. It was then that Michael and Minerva Oatfield sold the school district 1 acre in the S.W. corner of their farm – where today’s Concord play area is now – and the first Concord schoolhouse was built.
The historic markers for the first two schoolhouses were made possible in part by a grant from the Clackamas County Cultural Coalition, managed by the Clackamas County Arts Alliance, and with private donations. The bronze plaques were made by the Paul Zimmerman Foundries in Columbia, PA. The black basalt boulders were purchased locally at Portland Rock & Landscape Supply, were transported to their respective locations by Knapp Construction Company, Inc., and mounted by Greg Sandidge of Eagle Creek Engraving.
OLHD is excited to have completed this first historic marker project. Suggestions from the community for more markers have been solicited, and OLHD looks forward to the installation of many others in the future.
Come and celebrate the long awaited groundbreaking for the new Oak Lodge Library.
Enjoy free ice cream, and learn a little history.
Saturday, September 16, 2023
1-3 P.M.
Concord Property
3811 S.E. Concord Rd., Milwaukie
Greetings!
“What Can You Tell Me About My House’s History” is the most frequently asked question received by the Oak Lodge History Detectives (OLHD). With well over 1,000 homes in the Oak Lodge area the answer is generally “not much”. Our best advice is for curious homeowners to learn how to do it themselves and enjoy the discovery, using many available tools.
OLHD will be giving a talk on this subject on May 6th at the Estacada Public Library at 12:00 noon. It is open to all. You are welcome to join us for an educational afternoon.
Mike Schmeer
Chairman, Oak Lodge History Detectives