As the fishery collapsed, canneries on the upper river near Cascade Locks and gillnet fishermen on the lower river near Astoria blamed one another; both were right, but the biggest culprit was Grand Coulee Dam. (Columbia, Multnomah, Hood River, Wasco County; 1880s) (For text and pictures, see https://offbeatoregon.com/1609b.fish-wheels-and-gillnetters-408.html)

WPA writer Sara B. Wrenn's oral history interview with Robert Robinson, master violin maker and repairer, talking about his memories of the professional musicians of Portland in the late 1800s. (For the transcript, see https://www.loc.gov/item/wpalh001994/ )

OCTOBER OF 1913 was a triumphant time for Professor James Dryden, the poultry specialist at Oregon State University (or Oregon Agricultural College, as it was then called). His name was in newspapers nationwide, in glowing tribute after glowing tribute to his success. One of his experiment-station hens had just shattered the world record for egg production with a stunning 303 eggs in a year.

There was, however, one exception to the “glowing tribute” pattern in newspaper coverage of Dr. Dryden’s work. That would be the weekly Cottage Grove Leader.

“In our opinion, Prof. Dryden is impracticable, out of harmony with the country’s best and most successful poultry breeders, is discouraging the great and growing poultry industry of the state and is therefore out of place at the head of the Department of Poultry Husbandry in our great educational and experimental institution, the Oregon Agricultural College,” the Leader’s editor raged, in the Oct. 28 issue. “We would suggest, in conclusion, that he tender his resignation.”

What was the Leader's objection to Prof. Dryden and his accomplishment? Not to get too clickbait-y, but seriously, it will leave you shaking your head in baffled disgust when you hear it. (Corvallis, Benton County; 1910s, 1920s) (For text and pictures, see https://offbeatoregon.com/21-09.prof-dryden-and-the-chicken-war-601.html)

Governor Charles Henry “Iron Pants” Martin may have saved the world from a Nazi nuclear holocaust by outplaying President Roosevelt, essentially forcing him to finance a hydroelectric dam that he thought was superfluous. (Bonneville, Multnomah County; 1930s) (For text and pictures, see https://offbeatoregon.com/1609a.bonneville-wins-ww2-407.html)

When the packed community center caught fire, Lucinda Schroder ran back inside and blocked the door open with her body, enabling dozens who otherwise would have been pinned and crushed against the closed door to escape. (Silver Lake, Lake County; 1900s) (For text and pictures, see https://offbeatoregon.com/1107b-schroder-hero-of-silver-lake-fire-died-saving-lives.html)

The century-long quest to make the Columbia River Bar reasonably safe got off to a rough start in 1853, when the ship bringing construction materials for its first lighthouse became one of its early victims. (Columbia River Bar, Clatsop County; 1850s) (For text and pictures, see https://offbeatoregon.com/1608d.taming-the-bar.405.html)

WPA writer Sara B. Wrenn's oral history interview with tinsmith and horse enthusiast J.J. Kadderly, who arrived in Portland in 1876 and set up a store there. 'I bet I've sold more cookstoves to brides and grooms than anyone in this town,' he boasted. He also has a lot to say about his favorite hobby, racing horses. (For the transcript, see https://www.loc.gov/item/wpalh001969/ )

During the go-go years of the uranium-mining rush of the early 1950s, the character of the uranium prospector became iconic. He was basically the gold-seeking “miner 49er” updated for the atomic age: in lieu of a mule, he rode an Army-surplus Jeep; in place of pick and gold pan, he carried a Geiger counter and ultraviolet flashlight.

So it’s ironic but maybe not surprising that Oregon’s biggest uranium strike was made by an everyday rockhound - a guy who didn’t even own a Geiger counter. (Lakeview, Lake County; 1950s) (For text and pictures, see https://offbeatoregon.com/22-04.white-king-lucky-lass-uranium-mines-608.html)

He couldn't claim all the credit for it, although he sometimes tried; and his attitude toward Native Americans was unfortunate. But those who love Crater Lake, in large part, have William Gladstone Steel to thank for it. (Crater Lake, Klamath County; 1880s, 1890s, 1900s) (For text and pictures, see https://offbeatoregon.com/1609cT.crater-lake-will-steel-409.html)

Windjammer still holds a world speed record for sailing ships, but by the time of her demise, had been losing money for years; the age of steam had made her obsolete. So when she sailed onto the rocks, insurance adjusters smelled a rat. (Neahkahnie Mountain, Tillamook County; 1910s) (For text and pictures, see https://offbeatoregon.com/1107a-glenesslin-wreck-insurance-fraud-or-drunken-incompetence.html)