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

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

EVENTS CALENDAR 2015

Past Events from 2015

December 2015 Meeting

The Oak Lodge History Detectives will be ending 2015 with an informal Holiday potluck and brain storming session — reminiscences and identification of businesses that we can remember along McLoughlin Blvd. Do you remember the Super 99 Drive-In Theater, The Speck, or Cindy's House of Pancakes?

Reproduction of an old newspaper ad for the Super 99 Drive-in Movie Theater

Shirley Schmeer will be sharing her list of over 850 businesses that she has identified — historic and more current — between Milwaukie and the Clackamas River, along with images of newspaper ads for many, and soliciting our recollections of others.

We would like to make this last meeting of the year a fun evening. Refreshments will be served, and if you care to do so, bring along something to add to the table — sweet, salty, tangy, or fresh, in the holiday spirit. We will have beverages to go with.

Please join us on Dec. 10th to celebrate a great year, and reminisce about those restaurants, theatres, shops and other businesses from years gone by and today.

Thursday
Dec 10, 2015
7:00 pm
Oak Lodge Water District Offices
14496 S.E. River Rd. @ Maple St.
Oak Grove
November 2015 Meeting

History and Evolution of the Walta Vista Neighborhood

History is all around us — everywhere, all the time. All we need do is have an inquisitive mind, and look for it. Our Oak Lodge neighborhoods didn't just happen. They evolved over time from an extremely native/rural condition to an occasional cabin, to farms, to a few lots, and eventually to all the subdivisions we know of today. How each of those stages took place in any given area is a fascinating study worthy of our attention.

This month's program will focus on one such area that we know of today as the Walta Vista Neighborhood. Who first owned it? What were its boundaries? What buildings were originally there? When did it first begin to look as we see it today?

Many of these questions will be answered at our November presentation The History and Evolution of the Walta Vista Neighborhood, presented by Baldwin Van der Bijl and Michael Schmeer. Using photographs, surveys and newspaper accounts you'll learn how Walta Vista evolved from part of a Donation Land Claim in the 1850's to the neighborhood we know today.

Join us November 12th for the fascinating story.

Thursday
Nov 12, 2015
7:00 pm
Oak Lodge Water District Offices
14496 S.E. River Rd. @ Maple St.
Oak Grove
October 2015 Meeting

The Oak Lodge History Detectives will be resuming our winter meetings on October 8th. As stipulated in our By Laws this meeting will be our "Annual Meeting" at which time we need to elect, or re-elect, our Board members.

Your Board consists of a Chair (currently Mike Schmeer), Co-Chair (currently Baldwin van der Bijl), Secretary (currently Dan Howard), and Treasurer (currently Pat Reinert ) — each having a 2 year term.

The one position we know for sure that we will need to fill is that of Secretary. After having taken over for Carol Mastronarde two years ago Dan has done a terrific job for OLHD, but has indicated he will not be running again. The others have indicated a willingness to serve another term.

An organization cannot run, nor will it succeed, without dedicated people stepping up to help out. OLHD has been fortunate thus far to have had individuals to do just that. But we cannot legally function as a non-profit without a Secretary. Please consider offering your services to OLHD for the next two year term. I will be accepting nominations on Oct. 8th.

We hope to see you Oct. 8th — same time, same station.

Thursday
Oct 8, 2015
7:00 pm
Oak Lodge Water District Offices
14496 S.E. River Rd. @ Maple St.
Oak Grove
OLHD to Participate in Orange Line Celebration!

As you are no doubt aware by now TriMet is hosting a huge event on September 12th to celebrate the Grand Opening of the new Orange Line, and our Park Avenue Station. All rides on MAX, TriMet buses, Portland Streetcar and the Aerial Tram will be free that day. AND, over and above all, there will be a huge celebration at our new Park Avenue Station that day, including bands and performances. Visit

http://catchtheorange.com/#/events/grand-opening-celebration

for more details.

The Oak Lodge History Detectives will be a part of the festival at the Park Avenue Station. This promises to be the largest event Oak Grove has ever seen, and thousands are expected to get off the train at Park Avenue to attend.

Because of the preparation involved there will be NO OLHD MEETING in September. Our next meeting will be held on October 8th. Watch for upcoming announcements.

Volunteers are needed to help pull this event off. Below is a summary of what is involved:

Thursday, Sept. 10th – Volunteers are needed to help set up the many canopies (“Pop-ups”) on the Parking Garage roof. Many other organizations besides OLHD will be setting up canopies that late afternoon/evening. The work is not hard, but the more volunteers we have the faster it will all go. OLHD will be setting ours up around 7:00 p.m. There will be potluck snacks and drinks afterwards.

Friday, Sept. 11th – This will be set-up and decorating day on the top deck of the Parking Garage. Beginning at about 9:30 a.m. volunteers will be needed to help OLHD set up our booths. This involves setting up three tables, brochures and handouts, two banners, easels, various props, electricity, and various other things. Potluck that morning will consist of coffee, juice, fruit and pastries. Pizza will be provided at noon, supplemented by your potluck drinks and other foods. Set-up needs to be completed by 5:00 p.m. At 6:00 there will be a potluck dinner for all volunteers and special guests. From 7:00 to 9:00 there will be a ceremony to welcome a beautiful new sculpture into the community, accompanied by music.

Saturday, Sept. 12thSHOWTIME. OLHD member volunteers are still needed to help staff our displays and relieve other staffers. We’ll need volunteers starting at 7:30 a.m. and continue until after closing at 6:00 p.m. The event officially starts at 11:00 a.m.

All our volunteer needs are at the Park Avenue Station parking garage, top deck, at the intersection of McLoughlin Blvd. and Park Ave.

If you are interested in helping out contact Lisa Bentley at lisabentley3@comcast.net or Mike Schmeer at gennutt@gmail.com

Your assistance would be greatly appreciated.

Hoping to see you there!!

Saturday
Sept 12, 2015
11 am - 6:00 pm
SW corner of McLoughlin Blvd and Park Ave
Oak Grove
 
OLHD Fundraiser

The Oak Lodge History Detectives are planning our first-ever fund-raiser on Saturday, August 1st — banking on the fact that History + Antiques & Vintage Old Stuff make natural partners!

Check in to see the time-sensitive opportunities for Volunteers, Vendors and Customers like YOU — coming to a place VERY NEAR YOU on the first day of August, 2015!

Helpers and OLD STUFF are needed. Contact Pat Kennedy at pckennedy503@gmail for details.

OLHD needs your support!
SAVE THAT DATE!

OLHD Fundraiser Flyer

Saturday
August 1, 2015
10 am - 5:30 pm
NW corner of Oatfield Rd and Chestnut St
Oak Grove
 
June 2015 Meeting

With summer rapidly approaching, and our schedules rapidly filling, our June meeting will be the last time we meet in a general meeting until this coming fall. In the interim we will work in a field trip or two, and many of us will continue researching and documenting our local history.

Genealogical Forum of Oregon Web Banner

The program for our June meeting dovetails nicely with researching about early settlers and later residents of our area. Laurel Smith, President of the Genealogical Forum of Oregon (GFO) will be presenting 'Portland's best kept secret: The GFO's Research Library'. Laurel will be guiding us through the many resources available to us at the GFO library, and offer an opportunity for some of us to satisfy those creative writing cravings. With the opening of the new Orange Line in September getting to this library will be a snap.

Please join us on June 11th for another opportunity to learn how to re-discover our local history from one of our partners in history.

Thursday
June 11, 2015
7:00 pm
Oak Lodge Water District Offices
14496 S.E. River Rd. @ Maple St.
Oak Grove
May 2015 Meeting

It's time for another OLHD meeting! Last month we were privileged to have Christina Robertson-Gardiner talk to us about the Willamette Falls Legacy Project and it was very well received. Thank you Christina for sharing that with us.

This month we have asked Jennings Lodge resident Steve Berliner to present to us "William L. Finley - His Life And Accomplishments".

William_Lovell_Finley 1908

William L. Finley, 1908

Finley was a renowned wildlife photographer and conservationist. AND he just happened to live in Jennings Lodge. Steve Berliner has studied Finley's life and researched the history of Finley's house and property in Jennings Lodge in depth.

Please join us on May 14th as we learn about one of our neighborhoods more famous residents.

Thursday
May 14, 2015
7:00 pm
Oak Lodge Water District Offices
14496 S.E. River Rd. @ Maple St.
Oak Grove
April 2015 Meeting

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.

Thursday
April 9, 2015
7:00 pm
Oak Lodge Water District Offices
14496 S.E. River Rd. @ Maple St.
Oak Grove
March 2015 Meeting

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

Thursday
March 12, 2015
7:00 pm
Oak Lodge Water District Offices
14496 S.E. River Rd. @ Maple St.
Oak Grove
February 2015 Meeting

This month features a special guest speaker: Sherry Hall, Clackamas County Clerk. She will give a presentation entitled Clackamas County's Land Records: Preservation and Access

Bring your questions and learn how to use our records!

Please join us on Feb. 12th.

Thursday
Feb 12, 2015
7:00 pm
Oak Lodge Water District Offices
14496 S.E. River Rd. @ Maple St.
Oak Grove
January 2015 Meeting

OLHD hopes that you had an enjoyable Holiday Season 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.

Thursday
Jan 8, 2015
7:00 pm
Oak Lodge Water District Offices
14496 S.E. River Rd. @ Maple St.
Oak Grove
Other Past Events