Reading early descriptions of the Tualatin Valley, they are all focused on the valley’s potential in agriculture. This theme is similar throughout the Willamette Valley; settlers and farmers did not think about the valley in any other way but for its readiness for agriculture. Considering this all-consuming focus, the traditional native nature of the land … [Read more…]
Dairy Creek sign In the past 2 years, I have worked on signage projects in the Portland area for agencies of the city or state. In 2025, I consulted on a sign for the Dairy Creek project on Sauvie Island. Over the period of several months, I met with people in the West Multnomah Soils … [Read more…]
The upper McKenzie River, in Oregon, has been a vast wilderness and a tourist fishing location for the past 100 years. Some 30% of the clean water in the Willamette River comes down the McKenzie. In the latter part of the 19th century, gold mining began and brought more people to the area. Then, hot … [Read more…]
Colvocoresses has a limited account, his journal ends in the Umpqua Valley. Four years in the Government Exploring Expedition by George M. Colvocoresses, Fairchild, NY, 1855. (at Willamette Mission) September 7, 1841- The number of Indian children to whom they give instruction does not exceed twenty, and the adult Indians living about the settlement, are … [Read more…]
Journal of Lieutenant George Foster Emmons[1] (Officer of the Peacock) August 7, 1841-The country becoming smoky from the annual fires of the Indians- who burn the prairies to dry and partially cook a sunflower seed (tarweed)- which abounds throughout this portion of the country & is afterwards collected by them in great quantities & kept … [Read more…]