Welcome to the Oak Lodge History Detectives Website

Herb Beals, author of three volumes on the history of Gladstone, Oregon, will speak on the earliest inhabitants who lived or passed through our neighborhoods. We know that some Indian children attended the area's first school, sited near one of the last Clackamas encampments on the river. We know Clackamas and settlers' children played together, some forming fast friendships. But what else? Herb will bring copies of his second volume — covering the Great Depression and WW II — to sell and sign. Volume III, Gladstone, OR: Civil War to the Evening of the Depression, will be out in June, published by the Gladstone Historical Society.

INTERACTIVE COMMUNITY MEETING — Join us to help create maps showing where things were before the trolley left town in 1958 and commerce slowed in Old OG! Who owned or ran businesses there and along McLoughlin Blvd or River Road in those days? Exactly where were the bakeries, dairies, beauty shops, egg farms or dime stores? What — and where — were the 'special places' in your neighborhood? We'll roll out the butcher paper and get your "XX"s on the record. If you weren't here at that time, then bring a neighbor — or a story from someone who was.
Co-sponsored by the Oak Lodge Detectives and New Urban High School

Long-time resident of Jennings Lodge, Winnie Gardener, will be our guest of honor. While her brother, Wilfred, wrote the book on it, Winnie was right alongside. Members researching materials from that part of Oak Lodge will also share what they're learning out about early settlers and years gone by. (Where was that Indian race track, anyway?) Come with your questions and bring a friend!

After meeting in September at Broetje House, the Detectives will gather at the Oak Lodge area's only bona fide museum -- this one, celebrating the contributions of a fast shrinking generation of men and women who served the country in World War II. On the agenda: we'll meet museum owner Punky Scott, peruse interesting exhibits + consider OLHD goals for the year ahead.