Tag: swale

Ethnobotany, General History, Kalapuya, Oregon indians, Willamette ValleyLeave a comment

Reconstructing the Willamette Valley Camas Swales

David G. Lewis, PhD

In recent work I have begun to document the various wetlands of the Willamette Valley from before settler changes took effect. Our best, and most complete set of records of this early period are the General Land Office (GLO) Maps housed now online at the Bureau of Land Management’s Land Status and Cadastral Survey Records website. The earliest surveys were in 1851 up near the Columbia and most begin in 1855 or 1856 in most areas of Oregon. The maps are a series of quadrangle maps that are coded east or west depending on where the land lies in reference … Continue reading Reconstructing the Willamette Valley Camas Swales

General History, Oregon indians, Umpqua Valley, Uncategorized, Willamette ValleyLeave a comment

Bristow’s Proposal for the Millpoo Ilihee and Camas Swale Post Offices, Lane County,1854

David G. Lewis, PhD

In the 1850s, American settlers were just setting up their communities, and towns, throughout the Oregon Territory. The earliest pioneers had arrived in 1830s, and a great rush of humanity began in 1844 with the start of the Oregon Trail. The “pioneers” settled in key locations throughout the valleys, first in western Oregon. Each area has its first pioneers and they normally are remembered by town names they may have personally named. One such community is Pleasant Hill, east of Eugene/Springfield. There the earliest pioneer is Elijah Bristow who arrived in 1846. Bristow was originally from Illinois and served in … Continue reading Bristow’s Proposal for the Millpoo Ilihee and Camas Swale Post Offices, Lane County,1854