Investigating the Past... with the
OAK LODGE HISTORY DETECTIVES
We are curious about local history —
and we think you are too!
EVENTS CALENDAR 2013
Past Events from 2013
The holiday season is upon us and we are all getting busy decorating and shopping, while trying to keep one step ahead of the winter weather. Even so, it's nice to allow ourselves some "me time" to continue studying our fascinating local history.
Our December meeting will not only include our usual business, but for our History Segment we will be watching one or two of our 2011 interviews of local residents. Having watched a few of these now I am repeatedly amazed at how rich they are with historical information pertaining to our local area - straight from people that lived it. So bring your notepads along so you can jot down items of interest. You won't be disappointed.
Join us Dec. 12th and treat yourself to a taste of our local history!
Dec. 12, 2013
7:00 pm
14496 S.E. River Rd. @ Maple St.
Oak Grove
Our November 2013 meeting will include the usual business that needs to be addressed. But in addition, the history segment will consist of one hour devoted to the presentation "Jennings Lodge - A Brief Overview 1840-1910" by the Jennings Lodge Subcommittee of OLHD.
This presentation was given to the Jennings Lodge Community Planning Organization on Oct. 22nd and was favorably received. During this presentation you will learn how the Jennings Lodge community evolved from three sparsely settled land claims to a thriving community called 'home' by several noteworthy local residents - and how several of the area's streets got their names.
Please join us on November 14th and learn more about our local history!
Nov. 14, 2013
7:00 pm
14496 S.E. River Rd. @ Maple St.
Oak Grove
Summer is over, the rains have returned right on schedule, and we are all starting to retreat indoors more. It is time to resume studying our local history.
In addition to our routine business, a check of the OLHD bylaws indicates that it is time to hold an "Annual Meeting". The by-laws stipulate that "An annual meeting of the members shall take place in the month of October, the specific date, time and location of which will be designated by the chair. At the annual meeting the members shall elect board officers, receive reports on the activities of the association, and determine the direction of the association for the coming year".
Thus, this October meeting will constitute our "Annual Meeting". The by-laws stipulate that "All board members shall serve two-year terms, but are eligible for re-election for up to five consecutive terms". Our last election was in January 2011, a little over two years ago. So please be thinking of names to nominate for the offices of Chair, Co-chair, Secretary and Treasurer — and CONSIDER RUNNING YOURSELF. The success of any organization depends on having good people run it.
For our "History Segment" OLHD Chair Mike Schmeer will give an informal presentation about the Rupert family and the Isabelle Rupert house.
Please join us on October 10th for another glimpse into our area's past.
October 10, 2013
7:00 pm
14496 S.E. River Rd. @ Maple St.
Oak Grove
On September 14th several members of the Oak Lodge History Detectives visited the Isabelle Rupert house at the invitation of owners Gary and Pascale Steig.
Built about 1903 by Isabelle Rupert, this house was the home of Isabelle and her parents Joseph A. and Sarah Rupert, and was recently designated a historic landmark by Clackamas County. Pascale gave our group a complete tour of her home, which still has a great many of its original features. We are most grateful to the Steigs for having been given the opportunity to see the house.
Field trips such as this are one of the benefits of becoming a member of OLHD. Contact us if you are interested in joining.
Sept 14, 2013
11:30 am
2323 S.E. Creighton Ave.
Oak Grove
This month we will be joined by Mandy Zelinka, creator of the Milwaukie Rules website, and her co-presenter Greg/Frank Hemer who will be speaking about the Milwaukie Historical Society and its relationship to Milwaukie history and the Milwaukie Museum.
We will also hear about the June 1st Videography Workshop attended by Mike Schmeer and Baldwin Van der Bijl — and if time permits, we'll view another video from our 2011 Resident Interviews Program.
Please join us on June 13th for another glimpse into our area's past.
June 13, 2013
7:00 pm
14496 S.E. River Rd. @ Maple St.
Oak Grove
Besides our routine business at our next meeting Susan Malmquist will be our guest speaker from the Oregon Historical Society.
Susan is an OHS docent and will be presenting information on the OHS programs and services they offer. If you have questions about how to do research at OHS this might be a great opportunity to get them answered. If time permits we will view another video from our 2011 Resident Interviews Program.
Please join us on May 9th for another glimpse into our area's past.
May 9, 2013
7:00 pm
14496 S.E. River Rd. @ Maple St.
Oak Grove
In addition to our regular business, our next meeting will allow for ample time to view portions of the videos made from several of our 2011 Resident Interviews Program. Though the process of retrieving all the interview videos is not yet complete we do have many of them.
Time will not allow us to watch all of any one interview but you will be able to get the flavor of the quality and rich nature these interviews have. As OLHD poises to resume this program you will see what a treasure these are.
Please join us on April 11th for another glimpse into our area's past.
April 11, 2013
7:00 pm
14496 S.E. River Rd. @ Maple St.
Oak Grove
Besides our routine business the history segment for our next meeting will be focused on the evolution of our area from a small number of widely scattered pioneers to a more organized neighborhood of farmers, businesses, and social enterprises that supported the lives of our early residents—a discussion led by our ace historian Pat Kennedy.
A Case for Naming Concord as the Oak Lodge Area's First "Neighborhood"
In the 1840s and '50s when settlers first arrived on the local scene, the name "Concord" was not on the tip of anyone's tongue. In fact, it was not until almost 50 years later (1890) that William Starkweather proposed adoption of the name of his Massachusetts' hometown as the name of the area's newly built third school — located on what would become known as Concord Road.
Join us in digging for evidence that supports — or mitigates against — the thesis that today's Concord area was yesteryear's first local neighborhood. We'll explore ways neighborhoods take shape in general — looking at models past and present — then zoom into the 1850s when a neighborhood began to emerge in this sparsely settled bend of the river in pre-Territorial Oregon Country. In the case of Concord, what factors prevented this early neighborhood from developing into the core of a town? — and what influences acted to form neighborhoods that followed in the Oak Lodge area?
Please join us on March 14th for another glimpse into our area's past, and share an opportunity to contribute to, and learn more about how we got "from there to here". All are welcome!
March 14, 2013
7:00 pm
14496 S.E. River Rd. @ Maple St.
Oak Grove
On February 24th, 2013 the Oak Lodge History Detectives participated in the Milwaukie Elks "Ac-Cent-Tchu-Ate the Positive—A Happening" held at the Milwaukie Elks Lodge on McLoughlin Blvd.
Over 1,000 people passed by our display to enjoy a host of fun activities, entertainment, charitable opportunities, food, and a tour of the facility.
(L to R: OLHD Members Baldwin van der Bijl, Mike Schmeer, and Punky Scott)
A huge THANK YOU to Pat Kennedy for making a spectacular photo display and supplying other props, to Lisa Bentley for her binders on Jennings Lodge School history and Jennings Lodge general history, to Thelma Haggenmiller for the invite, and to Pat, Lisa, Mollie McKeown and Baldwin van der Bijl for helping to "man" the booth. In terms of exposure it was a great success.
Feb 24, 2013
7:00-9:00 pm
13121 SE McLoughlin Blvd.
Oak Lodge
Now that Chairman Mike Schmeer has had a chance to rest from the holiday madness, a December genealogy class, a December meeting, and 10 days of babysitting the grandchildren, it's time to resume the fascinating process of researching our local history.
Our next meeting will be on Valentines Day evening, at the Oak Lodge Water District offices. In addition to our regular business, the evening's "fun segment" will be An Examination of the Jacob S. Risley Probate. Risley died in 1902 and his will and probate are on file at the Oregon State Archives. We will examine the probate closely, gaining insights into what sorts of business dealings he was involved in, who some of the players were, and "who got what".
Please join us on February 14th for another glimpse into our area's past.
Feb 14, 2013
7:00 pm
14496 S.E. River Rd. @ Maple St.
Oak Grove
Last Wednesday evening, on January 16th, the Oak Lodge History Detectives had the pleasure of being invited to tour the 100 year old home built by Harvey G. Starkweather on River Road. Al Sande, who with his wife Terry owns the Sandes of Time Bed & Breakfast, was a gracious host and treated 15 OLHD members to a tour of the completely renovated home - complete with refreshments.
After purchasing the home several years ago it took them 5 years to renovate the house and re-landscape the grounds. Terry Sande did all the interior decorating design work and created a spectacular setting for guests to enjoy. The Sandes are to be commended for perserving a grand and beautiful heirloom in our community.
(L to R: Janet Cornell, Al Sande, Carol Mastronarde, Larry Cornell)
The Oak Lodge History Detectives thank the Sandes for opening up their home for us to see this grand and historic house. If you should have out of town guests in the future you might want to consider treating them to a unique experience unparalleled in our area. Visit their website at http://www.sandesoftime.com/
Jan 16, 2013
7:00-9:00 pm
16022 S.E. River Rd.
Oak Lodge