A 19-foot-high statue carved from a single alder tree by Russell Beebe of Talent, Ore., greets those who enter the Hannon Library on the Southern Oregon University campus.

In condescending, racially tinged language typical of the times, the San Francisco Chronicle reported in 1897 how the federal agent in charge of the Klamath Indian Reservation, Maj. C.E. Worden, was encouraging Indians to establish homes, raise cattle and grow crops.

Samuel Colver Jr. was one of Southern Oregon’s successful pioneers, an Ohio boy who studied law at Plymouth College in Indiana, excelled in debate, especially with his teachers, but left Ohio to become a Texas Ranger, an Indian Scout, and to serve with Sam Houston in the Battle of San Jacinto.

The first railroad in Northern California got its start in Humboldt County in the 1850s. A tiny flat car drawn on rails by an old white horse named “Spanking Fury” transported ship passengers and freight several miles from the Arcata town plaza to the end of the wharf.

Better Baby contests were popular at county and state fairs in early 20 th century Oregon, reflecting an emerging interest in eugenics, the science of genetics and how it affects social problems.

Medford, Ore., weekenders regarded Butte Falls as a popular camping spot in the early 1900s.

In the First World War, Americans eagerly volunteered to support the troops who had been sent abroad. People gathered scrap metal for war material, children sold bonds and stamps, and women filled vacant jobs in factories and shipyards.

Eagle Point, Ore., laid claim in the early 1900’s to producing Bosc pears fit for a king.

Rogue Valley craft beer dates to pioneer days. One of the first brewers was Viet Schutz of Jacksonville, Ore. Over the years, many others have brewed their own suds.

One evening in the late 1800’s an unannounced visitor came to a small house built by Albert and Sarah Howlett on Little Butte Creek in Eagle Point, Ore. When the stranger asked if he could stay the night, they invited him in.