City of Florence, Oregon – 125 years – 1893-2018
Special Commemorative Edition of the Siuslaw News July 25, 2018
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JIM HOBERG Broker/Owner
Jim Hoberg is a Florence native, and has been working in Real Estate since 1989. He has served as a Principal Broker for 29 years, and is the owner of West Coast Real Estate Services, Inc. He has obtained several designations that require continuing education, which keeps him on the cutting edge of the industry and he is constantly looking for ways to expand his areas of expertise. Jim enjoys helping people find solutions to their real estate needs and discovering why Florence is such a great place to live.
1870 HWY. 126, SUITE A PO BOX 3040 FLORENCE, OR FAX 541-997-7654 2
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FLORENCE 125TH ANNIVERSARY ❖ JULY 25, 2018
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very great adventure in life starts with a beginning, a beginning that is then taken, nurtured and developed for years to come with the goal of leaving a mark in history. Florence is celebrating its 125th year as a city in 2018, with our official incorporation occurring in 1893. The City of Florence’s modern-day slogan is “A City in Motion,” which means that the city strives to never be stagnant, but always on the move to develop our community into Oregon’s Premier Coastal Community. As the city continues to evolve, the work the Florence City Council, boards and commissions and city staff undertake contributes towards the vision of becoming Oregon’s Premier Coastal Community. To achieve that vision, the council has developed five overarching goals that outline the city’s workplan. For more information on what the City in Motion is working on, visit www.ci.florence. or.us. In Florence’s more recent history, the city has accomplished many projects that once were
set as goals, such as roadway improvements to Rhododendron Drive, the creation of the Siuslaw River Bridge Interpretive Center in Old Town, the implementation of a new public art policy, the completion of the new Public Works Operations Facility and the current construction on the City Hall Remodel and Expansion. All these things will allow the city to better serve the community for years to come. In August 2017, Florence also was designat-
ed as the 24th Coast Guard City in the United States. Having this status as a Coast Guard City helps to secure the status of our local Coast Guard Station Siuslaw River, active for more than 100 years on our coastline. This also helps ensures that we continue to honor those who keep or community members and visitors safe who choose to take advantage of the many activities the coastal environment offers. While we as a city believe it is very important to look ahead to what is to come, we also value the importance of reflecting on the beginning of our journey as a city — a journey that began 125 years ago in 1893. Thank you for taking this opportunity to reminisce and celebrate with us about the community we love, serve and call home. We hope to see you at the Florence 125 Year Block Party on Friday, July 27, in Historic Old Town Florence from 5:30 to 9 p.m.
JULY 25, 2018 ❖ CITY
~ The City of Florence Team July 2018
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FLORENCE 125TH ANNIVERSARY ❖ 3
1893
1894
THE WEST, FEBRUARY 10, 1893 Senator Alleys bill to incorporate flung at the legislature after its adjournFlorence passed the house Friday eve- ment and its members will be called all ning and is now ready for the gover- sorts of fools. However, the fools are nor’s signature. not all in the legislatures. Miller’s bill for the manufacture of *The editor of the East Oregonian school books by the state, to be fur- says that the Oregon militia is comnished at actual cost to the student, has posed of spindle-shank youths and the entire lot would not keep at bay a cur been defeated. A bill has passed the legislature dog. which deprives all those unable to read The Wallowa Chieftain said there is the Constitution of the United States of no law to prevent the East Oregonian man from having his opinion and exthe elective franchise. The Senate bill to appropriate $2,000 pressing it, but if he will come over to for a salmon hatchery on the Siuslaw Joseph he will find in a single company River was referred to the committee on of this despised militia forty men, any one of whom will convince him of his fisheries after its second reading. There will be a great deal of mud mistake in about two minutes.
HECETA HEAD LIGHTHOUSE A HISTORY OF THE 1894 LIGHTHOUSE
Pronounced He-see-ta, which people think is correct Spanish, but it’s not — Hey-they-ta is correct. Sometimes mispronounced Hecketa; Accessible, managed by U.S. Forest Service. This is the most powerful marine light on the Oregon Coast — 1.2 million candlepower. Turned on in 1894. One of the most beautiful lighthouses and settings. The view through the Needle’s Eye in early pictures was especially picturesque. The top of this formation is now eroded. The area was named for Portuguese explorer Don Burnos Heceta, who set sail from Mexico in 1775 to explore the Northwest Coast. He identified the headland in his writings. The light station — tower and other
buildings —was built using the same architectural plans as Umpqua River light in order to save money. The first-order Fresnel lens was from England — not from France. Many keepers and families lived at the light station, which had its own post office and one-room school house. The last keeper at the lighthouse was Ossie Allik, who had the distinction of being the last keeper at Tillamook and Heceta Head. He turned the lights off July 20, 1963, when it became automated.
HE GOT TURNIP SEED THE WEST VOL. 5, NO. 23 — 1894
There is a gentleman who involuntarily started a farm. His front yard was as barren of grass as Bill Bye’s head is of any hirsute adornment. With a view to having it green and pretty, he went over to the agricultural department and begged some lawn seed, which were willingly given him. He then returned him, and with much satisfaction and expectation planted them. Pictures of a beautiful green lawn and neighbors green with envy were conjured before his fanciful mind, and he watched the beaming sunshine and refreshing April showers
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Florence Branch PO Box 276, 1875 Hwy. 101 Florence OR 97439 4
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FLORENCE 125TH ANNIVERSARY ❖ JULY 25, 2018
Cell: 541 999-0239
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with the deepest interest. In a few days, the sprouts began to show above the earth but they were very curious looking sprouts, and they seemed as much like blades of grass as a spade is like a pick. The man began an investigation. The sprouts began to grow with rapidity, and in a few weeks there was more prospect of having a vegetable garden than a lawn. Authorities were consulted, and after a time it was discovered that the man had received turnip seed instead of grass seed.
1895
1896 NOW AND THEN BY A SIUSLAW PIONEER
UNIVERSITY OF OREGON
THE WEST VOL. 7, NO. 23 — OCTOBER 2, 1896
THE WEST, JANUARY 4, 1895
This college is fast becoming what it ever should be, the leading educational institute of the state. The faculty is at present the best constituted of any school in Oregon and the affairs under its control are progressing harmoniously. The appointments made by Governor Pennoyer last week to fill vacancies in the board of regents settled a matter of interest to the friends of the institution. Supreme Judge R.S. Bean succeeds himself as regent. He is an alumnus of
the university and takes a deep interest in the school. Honorable S.H. Friendly, mayor of Eugene, who succeeds Mr. Bush as regent, is a wide-awake progressive and enterprising man who takes an active interest in all kinds of educational work. He will take great pride in assisting to build up the institution and place it in the front rank of Pacific Coast colleges. It is scarcely possible that an appointment could have been made which would be received with greater favor.
AN EXCELLENT FARM Almost seven miles up the Siuslaw River from Florence, and situated on the bottom lands of the river, is one of the best farms in Lane County. For grain or pasture land it is unexcelled, and it produces the finest variations of fruit, is that there is growing a large orchard consisting of the choicest kinds of fruit-trees now in bearing. This farm will be sold as a shole or in ten, five or one acre tracts to suit purchasers. Write to O.F. Kennedy, Florence, Oregon, for particulars and prices.
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Ten years ago, the Siuslaw was but a name, meaningless to all save a few brave pioneers who, strong in their faith that this was a land of promise, struggled against odds and endured hardships and privations now almost forgotten. Florence consisted of three or four tumble down cabins and a small structure of rough boards that serves as a salting house for salmon. The nearest schoolhouse was 15 miles away. The only highway was the river, and skiffs and canoes afforded the only means of transportation. I well remember my first visit there, and the impression the barren solitude of the place made upon me — the desolate wastes of sand, the cold winds, the dark storm-twisted pines and the lonely river. I little dreamed how dear these were to become to me through association. The wind that chilled the stranger cheered the dweller on the shore with wild sea-songs of wondrous sweetness. The sands, on close acquaintance, changed from barren wastes to endless hills of gold. The river became a friend that gave new joy every day. Before I had lived a month in my tiny cabin under the pines on the Siuslaw, I was in love with the loneliness. Ah! It was a free life! Nature had her own way there and we fell in with her ever-changing moods, and felt her great true mother-heart beat close against our own. We ceased to remember that there was a world outside of this charmed spot to which we belonged — and to which we might some day return. There was never a day that was not perfect, never a night but brought new joy.
Still, there were times when we were reminded of the outer world. On those days when the mail came in we walked up to the post office, going along the narrow river beach when the tide was low, and across the marsh to get our letters and magazines. There was something unreal about that marsh; we often spoke of it and of the strange feeling we always had when crossing it, as if we beheld ourselves from some far-off post of vantage two lonely dark figures amidst the solitude of sea and shore. But all of this was 10 years ago. It is very different now on the Siuslaw. The dim and dingy cabin with its low eaves and tiny windows, where the mail was handed out over piles of calico, blue overalls and red flannel shirts, is no more. In its stead are handsome stores, elegant dwellings, a church, a schoolhouse, a big square hotel in Florence and sidewalks. The small salting house has grown into a great cannery that sends its products out over all the world. There are steamboats on the river and a sister-town across the bay. There is a WCTU, a Shakespeare Club and The West, whose able editors hold no small place among the memories of those far days. The Siuslaw of today is a recognized locality and a factor in public affairs. Yes, there have been changes. In dreaming of those fruitful months spent down there on the edge of the world, I can recall only the dear delight, the beauty, the freedom and charming associations. If there was hardship or deprivation, I have lost the recollection of it.
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FLORENCE 125TH ANNIVERSARY ❖
5
1897
1898
GLENADA GLEANING
THE WEST, VOL. 8, NO. 16 — 1897 Wild blackberries are about gone but tame ones are getting ripe. Alaska fever is raging here but no fatalities are reported. George Colles paid his family a short visit the first of last week. Wm. Bailey is spending a few days visiting friends on Maple Creek. There are no less than eight berries growing here in abundance. Cool and pleasant weather. Surely no person could find fault with this part of Lane County in regard to the weather. L.G. Johnson writes to his family that he has work at Clifford, Ore., at $2.50 per day. He reports snow nearly every day at that place. A good looking young bachelor who, by the way, has a nice ranch on Fiddle Creek, says he will accept any young girl who will come and propose to him. Mrs. J.L. Furnish, becoming dissatisfied with the local bank, deposited a small amount of money in the (Siuslaw River) bank. She recovered the most of it at low tide. Mrs. Einer, who has been visiting her old friend Mrs. W.H. Pepper, likes the country so well, she thinks of returning next summer and will probably invest in Glenada property. Luther King of Fiddle Creek, a former resident of Glenada, has been staying several weeks with George Craven in order to near medical aid.
His is a most peculiar as well as interesting case. Twenty-four years ago this August, he was bitten by a large rattlesnake in California. Every year since, at about the same time, his leg breaks out in brown spots that become running sores. He has no appetite for food. King says it strikes him every year on the same day he was bitten — he can feel it just the same as on that day. He says he feels cross and wants to bite, and has to work hard to control himself and keep from biting. The case puzzles the best doctors in Oregon.
THE ACME DANCE
THE WEST, VOL. 8, NO. 37 — JANUARY 7,1898 The New Year Dance given at Acme Friday evening by the Florence and Acme dancing club was a grand success. All the arrangements for the evening were made by the young ladies belonging to the club, and this is enough to insure a good time for those who attend any entertainment they manage. Music was furnished by Marion
Morris and Mrs. Alexander. After indulging in the light fantastic toe till midnight, the company proceeded to the Alexander building, where an excellent picnic supper had been provided. After everyone had partaken freely of the good things of the table, all returned to the hall, and dancing was continued till early daylight.
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FLORENCE 125TH ANNIVERSARY ❖ JULY 25, 2018
1899
1900
PUBLIC LAND SURVEYS
THE WEST, VOL. 9, NO. 35 — JANUARY 6, 1899 Oregon for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1898, large appropriations will be made for the current year. The surveyor-generals estimates for surveys during the fiscal year ending June 30, 1900 are as follows: For the survey of 40 townships, $31,400; and for the survey of 25 townships, within the limits of railroad grants, $39,250. Explanatory of his estimates, the surveyor-general submits the following statement: “The unsurveyed lands in the district are increasing in value each year, and in the same rate the number of petitions and enquires, both personal and written, concerning the survey and opening up to settlement of these lands becomes more frequent. “Many petitions and letters of inqui-
ry come from parties who have lived on unsurveyed lands for 10 to 20 years, asking and hoping for early surveys, in order to obtain titles to their homes. “The unsurveyed lands of the central and western portion of the state, where the soil is of the usual alluvial character being most fertile and productive when cleared from timber, affords splendid homes and are being eagerly sought after by a good class of people. The general contour of lands in Oregon is such as to favor irrigation... “The estimate of $39,250 is for the survey of 25 townships within the limits of railroad grants. The railroad companies and settlers have made many endeavors to have such surveys, enable the settlement upon thousands of acres of fine timber and agricultural land.”
IMPROVED TRAIN SERVICE
THE WEST, VOL. 9, NO. 15 — APRIL 21, 1899 Effective last Feb. 12, the Northern Pacific inaugurates double train service between Portland and all points east. Trains will leave Portland at 11:30 a.m. and 11 p.m. daily. These trains will be both first class and fully equipped in every respect, heated by steam, vestibulated, standard Pullman and tourist sleepers, dining cars and colonist sleeping cars. There will be through sleeping cars to Missouri River points
via Billings, which renders the service now offered by the Northern Pacific unequaled by any other transcontinental line. The only line to the Buffalo Hump territory.
SHIPPING AND MARINE
THE WEST VOL. 10 — JANUARY 5, 1900 The Maggie sailed today for Tillamook. The steamer Robarts went to Coos Bay with a cargo of canned salmon. She will call at Gardiner and take the crew to Astoria. There she will load with flour for Gardiner, and will tow W.P. Reed’s new river steamer from the Columbia to the Umpqua. The schooner Del Norte is on the
The small town of Acme, now known as Cushman, with the Acme school on far left.
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way here from San Francisco after lumber. This will make five schooners engaged in carrying lumber from the Siuslaw to San Francisco. Captain Smith’s schooner Bella arrived here Tuesday from San Francisco. She brought some goods for our merchants and will take out a cargo of lumber from the Acme mill.
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JULY 25, 2018 ❖ CITY
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FLORENCE 125TH ANNIVERSARY ❖
7
1901
1902
THE WESTERN HILLS
THE WEST, VOL. 11, NO. 45 — MARCH 29, 1901 A gentleman was up from Salem a few days ago with a view to securing an option on the output of the apple orchards during the coming season. He stated that he had just been over on the west side of the summit of the Coast Range Mountains. While there, he visited the Bristow apple orchard near Summit. He was delighted with samples of last year’s crop, and stated that he had never seen finer Baldwins. These apples were reported to be firm-meated and free from worms, and such a deep red color that they almost looked black. The gentleman was quite enthusiastic in his praise of the country lying on the western slope of this range of mountains the entire length of the Or-
egon coast and predicted that someday it would be the greatest apple producing section in the state. Few people realize what these ranges will look like 25 years hence. Much of the timber will have been cut away by the large lumbering companies. In fact, there is unusual active among lumbering men at the present time to secure timber rights. They will help in large measure to clear up the land, which will then be taken in hand by the agriculturists, horticulturists and dairymen. It will be an even break between the horticulturists and dairymen who will take this section in hand. The man who secures a homestead in these Coast Ranges will never have cause to regret such a move.
LOOKING AT SALMON MEN
THE WEST VOL. 13, NO. 12 — JULY 18, 1902 One of the pioneer salmon men of the Pacific Coast, when asked recently if he was still engaged in the business, is reported to have replied, “No, but I am a heavy looker-on.” We apprehend that there is a difference between the term “looker-on” and “has been,” the former being one, perhaps, who retires from choice before he has had to become a “has been.” The latter may be one who, not knowing when to retire, hangs on until he is forced out. But this man lived to see the great growth of the industry of canning salmon — from the time that a few hundred runs were made by hand were considered a big
day’s work, to today, when the output of 1901 was over 5,000,000 cases. He witnessed improvements, which have been introduced from time to time, and by which the great strides made in less than 30 years have been made possible. All of this he saw and a part of it he was, but from a heavy participator then, he is now a “heavy looker-on.” It is not every man who knows when, or if he knows, at least is willing to retire upon his laurels before old age or business disaster wrests them from him and he is referred to in terms of derision as a “has been.”
e c F n e l i orence r e p x E
Where Everyday is a Celebration of the Arts
City of Florence
City of Florence Oregon
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Public Art
FLORENCE 125TH ANNIVERSARY ❖ JULY 25, 2018
ART
1903
1904
HERMANN AT FLORENCE
W.H. WEATHERSON, EDITOR & PROPRIETOR’S EDITORIAL
THE WEST VOL. 13, NO. 36 — JANUARY 2, 1903 SEES GREAT CHANGES SINCE LAST VISIT; WELCOMED BY THE PEOPLE VISITS MAPLETON, ACME AND FLORENCE, WITH A TRIP TO THE BEACH
Hon. Binger Hermann, representative in Congress from the First District of Oregon, has been spending a couple days on the Siuslaw, informing himself of the needs of this section of the state, its resources and development. He came in by way of Eugene, arriving at Mapleton at noon on Wednesday. He was met by a delegation of citizens from Florence and Acme and conveyed to the latter town. Thursday he took a trip around the town, visiting the mills and other places of interest, then boarded a steamer for Florence. Here he received a hearty
THE WEST, VOL. 14, NO. 7 — JUNE 1, 1904
welcome by the citizens and took an afternoon trip to the jetty on the steamer Lillian, accompanied by several businessmen from Florence and Acme. After spending time looking over the work already done, considering the plan for the jetties as drawn by the engineers, and acquainting himself with what is needed to improve the bar, the party returned to town. Hermann expressed himself as greatly pleased at this improvement made on the river since his last visit 13 years ago. He remained here over night and left early this morning on Barrett’s stage.
These are the times when people who paid the first installment of their taxes and neglected to attend to the remainder, are arousing themselves to find they have a bill of costs and penalty to pay in addition to the amount due for taxes. These frosty mornings seem cold to the old residents of this country, but people coming here from states further east notice a decided difference in the weather when the mercury is at 30 degrees above zero, from what it is when the mercury touches 30 below. A few days ago, Captain Crangle of the steamer L. Roscoe informed us that the buoy at the mouth of the Siuslaw River had moved from its position and was then among the breakers. The buoy should be replaced at once for the benefit of vessels entering the river. Crangle states that a buoy is also very much needed inside the breakers to mark the channel and guide vessels on their course while crossing the bar and after entering the stream.
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(541) 999.5725 JULY 25, 2018 ❖ CITY
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FLORENCE 125TH ANNIVERSARY ❖
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1905
1906
LIFE IN THE U.S. NAVY
W.H. WEATHERSON, EDITOR & PROPRIETOR’S EDITORIAL
THE WEST, VOL. 14, NO. 42 — FEBRUARY 5, 1905 ON BOARD U.S.S. BROOKLYN, TARGET BAY CUBA, FEB. 5, 1905
Editor West, It has been some time since I have written you a letter for publication but I will try to write one now about the cruise of the U.S.S. Brooklyn from April 30 to the present date that I hope will be of interest to my friends and readers of The West. We left Pensacola, Fla., April 30, 1904, for our cruise of the South Atlantic in the Brooklyn flagship, with Rear Admiral Chadwick as commander in chief. We arrived at San Juan, Puerto Rico, May 4, and lay there for seven days, then left for Tenerife, Canary Isles, in due time, for coal. There we received a hurry-up to proceed to Tangiers, Morocco, immediately. I suppose you remember the trouble at that place. We arrived at Tangiers May 30 and stayed here till the last of June, then went to Genoa, Italy, for a new ice machine, then back to the Canary Isles for coal, then to Freetown, Sudan, and from them to Monrovia, the place that the United States government bought many years for free (black people). Here they fly the thirteen stripes and one star in a blue field for the flag, or the colors, as they call it in
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the Navy. From Monrovia we went to St. Paul de Loanda for coal, then to Capetown, South Africa, for repairs and a rejoin call. We had a fine time, too, We stayed there from July 14 until Aug. 23, then went to the island of St. Helena, that place to which Napoleon was exiled and where he died. A large company went up to visit the tomb and his house. It was a fine trip. Next we sailed to Montevideo, Uruguay, where we stayed some time, then went to Bahia Blanca, Argentina Republic, to dry dock, then to Bahia, Brazil for a short stay, and next to Rio De Janeiro for target practice for the large guns of the ships in the fleet. At Rio De Janeiro we lost Admiral Chadwick, then sailed to the port of Spain, Trinidad, where we had a fine visit for three weeks. We came to this port for the winter maneuvers. I have the true history of all these ports I have mentioned and will send on the history of them each week if they will be of interest to your readers. Respectfully yours, Myron F. Kobe
FLORENCE 125TH ANNIVERSARY ❖ JULY 25, 2018
THE WEST VOL. 15, NO. 34 — JANUARY 12, 1906
Lane is a large county and the Siuslaw is its only seaport. A 20foot channel would not be difficult to obtain and would add more to the wealth to the state than the same amount of money expended in deepening some of the harbors on either side of us, which already have received appropriations sufficient to enable them to develop their adjacent territory, though perhaps not to the fullest extent or as fast as they would like. Our representatives and senators should use their influence to equalize the situation even if it should prevent some of the greedy neighbors from getting every mouthful from the next meal. It is well enough for Coos Bay to talk of fighting, but if she had been no better fed than the Siuslaw, she would not have strength enough to make her blows felt. Glenarbor has been cut off from the mail route by high water. Lookout Mountain has worn a white coat for weeks. Some mornings the garment clothes the trees almost down to the clearing. The high wind of Dec. 29 brought several trees down across the road on Chickahominy Mountain. George W. Knapp has finished delivering is 6,000 young chittum trees
to Mr. Brown at Eugene. Brown will need another 12,000 more this winter. Trappers hereabouts get an occasional otter or beaver, but the most of their victims are skunks, which they catch by dozens. Mrs. William Wheeler’s most highly appreciated Christmas gift was a pipe line that pours a stream of water into a sink at her back door. Her stepson Marion Wheeler came over and installed the apparatus and had the water running soon after noon. He made the pipes of wood, sawed 2x4, each piece grooved on the planer and then nailed together in pairs. The joints are calked with cotton cloth and there is little or no leak.
1907
1908
A PRETTY WEDDING
RHODODENDRA CROWNED
THE WEST VOL. 17, NO. 19 — SEPTEMBER 27, 1907 The First Presbyterian Church of Florence was the scene of a very pretty wedding on Wednesday, Sept. 25, when Miss Roberta Bond was united in marriage to John Jerdine Baxter of Le Grand, Calif., by the Rev. L.R. Bond. At noon, the bridal party entered the church to strains of the “Lohengrin Bridal March” played by Miss Hazel Weatherson. The bride and groom were accompanied by Miss Isabella Kyle and Jesse Bond as maid of honor and best man, and Miss Marguerite Hurd and Aubrey Bond as bridesmaid and groomsman. The church was tastefully decorated for the occasion in green and white. The pews were well filled with the many friends of the contracting parties. Miss Bond is the only daughter of Mr. and Mrs. L.R. Bond, and though she came here but little over a year ago, has won for herself a host of friends who
admired her for her sweet womanly character. She is possessed of considerable musical talent, which will cause her departure to be all the more keenly felt. Baxter, the groom, is the son of wellto-do parents of Le Grand, Mercer County, Calif., and while he has spent a considerable amount of his life on a farm, he is a graduate of the Polytechnic Business College of Oakland. He is a young man of prepossessing appearance. The new Mr. and Mrs. Baxter left immediately for Portland, Seattle and northern points, but expect to return to Oakland for the winter. The wharf was crowded with friends. A long and happy life’s journey was the wish of all. The usual shower of rice fell as the boat pulled out from the dock. Handkerchiefs and hats waved and whistles blew as a parting salute.
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BEAUTIFUL SOVEREIGN REIGNS AT FLORENCE Florence celebrates the first Rhododendron Festival
First Queen Rhododendra Laura Johnson
(Photo taken at the 50th Anniversary of the Rhododendron Festival in 1957)
Queen’s Coronation Aboard the Queen’s Barge Left to Right: Dr. George Edwards, Ella Wilson, Hazel Weatherson, Leah Tanner, Queen Laura Johnson, Grand Marshal Joaquin Miller, Ethel Monroe, Flossie Chapman, and Dena Schreuders Photos from the Oregonian, courtesy of Siuslaw Pioneer Museum
THE WEST, MAY 22, 1908 Wednesday was a memorable day in the exercises were held. Boats loaded with passengers in holithe history of our quiet town, for on that occasion were held the ceremonies day attire began to arrive about 8 o’clock of crowning Rhododendra queen of and by the time the hour came for the Florence and presenting to her the keys exercises to begin a large crowd filled to the gates of our city. the streets. The pupils of the MapleThe town was handsomely decorated ton school after they landed marched for the occasion, all the business hous- up through town and then down to es and many of the private residences the city wharf, led by their teacher and being ornamented with the national each bearing a banner with an inscripcolors, evergreens and the beautiful tion showing something of the interests rhododendron flowers which grow in of the locality. At 10:00 Miss Laura Johnson who profusion on the neighboring hills. The streets as well, were ornamented with had been chosen queen for the occaevergreen trees and a grand arch of ev- sion, attended by her maids, marched ergreens and rhododendrons across the to the city wharf where Mayor Edwards street in front of the hall where part of delivered an address of welcome.
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JULY 25, 2018 ❖ CITY
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FLORENCE 125TH ANNIVERSARY ❖ 11
1909 NOW PORT OF SIUSLAW
COMMISSIONERS SWORN IN AND FIRST MEETING HELD
THE WEST, JUNE 18, 1909
The first meeting of the commissioners of the Port of Siuslaw was held Tuesday afternoon at 1:00 o’clock in the Odd Fellows hall in Florence. The meeting was held at the call of the Governor and is the final step in incorporating the port, as the work of incorporation was completed when the commissioers met and elected their officers. The commissioners having taken oath of office the meeting was called to order by Mr. Cushman and temporary organization was effected by electing Mr. Cushman, chairman and Mr. Yost, secretary. They then elected permanent officers
as follows: I.B. Cushman, president; P.E. Jackson, vice president; E.P. Waite, secretary; T.A. Yost, treasurer. They adoped a number of rules to govern their proceedings. Regular meetings are to be held at Florence on the first Wednesday of each month, at 11 a.m. The annual meetings held the first Wednesday of January of each year, immediately after the monthly meeting. The First National Bank of Eugene was designated as the depository for the funds of the port, with the understanding that when a bank is opened in Florence a portion of the funds may be deposited here.
The Kyle Building, seen here in 1908, continues to be a landmark in Historic Old Town Florence at the corner of what is now called Laurel and Bay streets.
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1910 BRIDGE BREAKS DOWN
THE WEST, MAY 20, 191 The first news item sent to us over the Austin Stanwood telephone line was received at this office Wednesday afternoon and was a report of an accident which occurred on the Fiddle Creek road Tuesday evening as follows: J.M. Martin and his sons Ray and Earl Miles were driving toward Mr. Miles home they had to cross a bridge over a ravine. This bridge gave way precipitating the team, wagon, and men, to the bottom of the creek distance of some twenty feet. Mr. Martin and son escaped unhurt, but Earl Miles was found under the wagon in an unconscious condition. He revived when taken out of the wreck and it is not thought he is seriously injured. One of the horses was killed but the other was not hurt.
Boat parade on Siuslaw River.
The 2nd Saturday Gallery Tour in Florence, Oregon seeks WR VKDUH ZLWK RXU FRPPXQLW\ WKH EHQHÂşWV RI WKH DUWV DUWLVWV DQG FROODERUDWLRQ ZLWKLQ RXU FRPPXQLW\ E\ RŇŹHULQJ interactive opportunities to share and celebrate the local arts. This monthly occasion will inspire you and help Florence continue to be a thriving coastal arts destination. 'XULQJ WKH KRXUV 30 RQ QG 6DWXUGD\ RI HDFK PRQWK \RXÂąOO HQMR\ JUHDW ORFDO DUW LQWHUDFWLRQV ZLWK IHOORZ SDWURQV RI WKH DUWV DQG DUWLVWV UHFHSWLRQV UHIUHVKPHQWV live entertainment and community. The Tour begins at any of the participating locations!
Dragon Art • The Studios & Jayne Smoley Design • Backstreet Gallery • Florence Regional Arts Alliance (FRAA) Florence Events Center • Old Town Coffee & Gallery The River Gallery • Novelli’s Crab & Seafood • Siuslaw Public Library • Silver Lining Boutique & Gallery Above • Frames of Florence • The Vardanian Art Gallery Alissa Clark Clayworks • Old Town Barbershop • The Hideaway Gallery • BeauxArts Fine Art Materials & Gallery
12
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FLORENCE 125TH ANNIVERSARY â?– JULY 25, 2018
1911
1912
Glenada Waterfront–Hardware store and two saloons in 1911, Colter’s Hotel above them. Large square building to the left is home of the Charles and Della Harwood Family.
Children’s School Parade on Bay Street Boardwalk
SIUSLAW OUTREACH SERVICES
• • • • • • • •
Serving Men, Women & Families in Florence and Surrounding Communities
Advocacy services, Safe House shelter, transportation and other assistance for survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault FOCUS 4 crisis line at 541-997-4444 for information and referrals, peer counseling, or for emergency services Support groups weekly at no cost to participants Emergency aid available for transportation, medical prescriptions, temporary shelter, utilities, shower and laundry Housing assistance with case management services LIHEAP - Low Income Household Energy Assistance for senior, disabled, and low income families. Community speakers will come to your location to discuss programs, services and provide domestic violence/sexual assault education Volunteer positions available immediately - Call for information Siuslaw Outreach Services 1576 West 12th Street, P.O. Box 19000 Florence, OR 97439 - Phone: 541-997-2816
JULY 25, 2018 ❖ CITY
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FLORENCE 125TH ANNIVERSARY ❖ 13
1913
1914
In 1913, the Rhododendron Carnival had an Indian theme so the princesses and other participants were given Indian identities and wore Indian dress. The princesses took part in a bow and arrow shooting contest in order to choose the queen.
Princesses, such as Agnes McCornack (left) as Princess Minnehaha and Jennie Beagle (above) as Princess Witoka, were introduced by Roscoe Hurd as Chief Black Hawk.
Thursday, May 27, 1914 — The boat parade on the Siuslaw River featured the Empress barge and carried the Rhododendron Queen and her Court. The street parade followed at noon from the Empress to the west side of Front Street — now Bay Street, then to Lincoln St. (now Maple St.) and returned on the south side of Front Street to the banquet hall. A tug of war followed.
2315 US-101, Florence, OR 97439 (541) 997-8460 • www.svdp.us
St. Vincent de Paul accomplishes its mission in six core areas… • Affordable Housing : more than 1,100 units of housing have • Recycling Programs : diverted 17,846,184 pounds of been developed since 1988. reuseable materials in 2014. • Emergency Services : helped approximately 7,802 households • Self-Sufficiency Services : helps over 1,000 people with job in 2014 and provided nearly 17,000 food boxes. training and placement each year. • Homeless Services : helped 10,303 adults and families in • Retail Thrift Stores : sells re-used items and generates 2014. revenue for charitable programs. 14
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FLORENCE 125TH ANNIVERSARY ❖ JULY 25, 2018
1915
1916
TRESTLE WORK UNDER CONSTRUCTION
DRAW BRIDGE SWUNG INTO PLACE
The following in regard to the construction of the railroad by way of the Siuslaw Valley from Eugene to Coos Bay was published by the Eugene Guard: Trestle work on the Willamette Pacific Railroad between the Siuslaw and Coos Bay will begin within the next thirty days according to Thomas Dixon, superintendent of the firm of McArthur, Perks and Company, contractors on the Willamette Pacific, who returned this week from a trip of inspection on the line. The trestle work is an important factor in the construction of this line along coast lakes, with their wide arms and valleys. There will be one trestle on one of the arms of Five Mile Lake that will be 2,000 feet long. Besides several small trestles there will be three that will be 1,000 ft. long. Three trestles will be constructed on Ten Mile Lake, and in length will measure 600 feet, 1,000 feet and 1,200 feet. The difficulty of making the trip from Eugene to Marshfield is related by Mr. Dixon, who states that virtually a week is needed to follow the railroad grade to Coos Bay and back again. From Eugene it is possible to take the train to the end of the line, a distance of thirty miles, then a drive of thirty miles to Mapleton. From that point there are frequent changes from boating to travel on foot till Coos Bay is reached.
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 1916
FRIDAY, JANUARY 21, 1916
The draw in the big railroad bridge across the Siuslaw River at Cushman was swung into position Tuesday morning and the track laid so trains can cross the bridge. This is the smallest of the three draw bridges on the Willamette Pacific Railroad and is the second one to be completed and ready for trains to cross. The Coos Bay bridge was finished in October but the Umpqua bridge will not be completed for several months yet.
SCHOONER SAILS WITH LUMBER FRIDAY, MAY 5, 1916
The schooner Coquille crossed out over the Siuslaw bar Tuesday morning and set her sails for a voyage to San Francisco. The vessel carried a full cargo of lumber from Point Terrace mill for the city market. The tug Gleaner, Captain Ludwig Christensen master, came up from the Umpqua and towed the Coquille out to sea. The tug crossed the Siuslaw bar about two hours before high tide and found 17 1/2 feet of water in the channel, showing that the bar is in good condition and the depth of the water increasing as the jetties are extended out toward the ocean.
Cushman Railroad Trestle after completion.
NEW FIRM BUYS STORE IN ACME
(The small town of Acme, three miles upriver from Florence, is now known as Cushman.)
Your public transportation provider in Florence.
Ticket books (20 tickets for $20) are available at River Cities Taxi/Rhody Express 1699 Pine St. Florence
Fares $1 or 1 ticket per one-way trip. $2 or 2 tickets for all day
541-902-2067
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Taxi service, including wheel chair accessible vans, runs 7 days a week, 7:00 a.m. to 3:00 a.m.
541-997-8520 JULY 25, 2018 â?– CITY
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FLORENCE 125TH ANNIVERSARY â?– 15
1917
1918
LANE’S SHARE IS 295 MEN
WHO ARE REQUIRED TO REGISTER
(FOR MILITARY DRAFT) FRIDAY, MAY 18, 1917 The following circular letter giving information in regard to registration for the draft has been sent out from the office of the Adjutant General to the newspapers of the state: Every man between the ages of 21 and 30 years, must register on the day soon to be proclaimed by President Wilson for the war census. There will be no exceptions to this rule. Even if a man belongs to one of the exempt classes, he nevertheless must register if he is of age. The Government will determine who is exempt after its records are complete. Brigadier General George A. White, adjutant general of Oregon, working under the direction of Governor James Withycombe, has put the machinery to work and his first request to every man affected by the census is that he make a careful study of its provisions to eliminate all possible confusion at the polls. Registering for a war census should be no more confusing than casting a vote. The general plan for gathering data for the Government is based on the ballot system. If every man is ready, War Census day will pass like clock work. The man who tries to evade the provision will face a term in jail without the option of paying a fine. In almost every case throughout the State the census will be taken at the regular polling places used on election days.
JULY 13, 1917 Lane County will be required to supply 295 men under the first war draft, according to estimates which have been prepared in the office of Adjutant-General White. This calculation is made on the basis of about 6,000 men as Oregon’s quota of the 688,000 men to be selected. The large number of men enlisted in various branches of the service from the state will reduce the number that must be supplied. An effort is being made to recruit the Second and Third companies of Oregon Coast Artillery to full war strength this week. About 21 men are needed in the two organizations. Colonel Creed C. Hammond stated today that his advice to Eugene boys is to join the Coast Artillery, an organization in which they will be associated with men and boys they know and who will go into the service with the help and influence of the people of the city and state behind them. The Eugene boy in the Coast Artillery corps, he believes will fare better than if he is placed in an organization where he will be among strangers.
SHIPPING OUT MOSS
FRIDAY, MAY 18, 1918
SIUSLAW BOYS IN DRAFT
Notices were sent out nearly a week ago informing many young men that they were called in the draft and directing them to appear for service. The Lane County contingent is to meet in Eugene on June 24. The following from this section are among those who were drawn for service at this time: Roger Anderson and Arlie Safley of Florence; H.N. Huntington and Horace Johnson of North Fork; Ralph Bernhardt of Cushman; Ernest Christenson of Westlake; Fred Butler of Maple Creek.
PLAN TO RECRUIT NURSES
Special committees to recruit 5,000 trained nurses, sorely needed in the army, are being organized in all cities within the jurisdiction of the Atlantic division of the American Red Cross, it has been announced. The campaign opens Monday and will continue ten days. While the immediate goal is 5,000 nurses, it was declared that 10,000 must be available before January 1, 1919, from the Atlantic division alone. To make the drive successful, the Red Cross will seek to impress upon the public that service of nurses should not be used in private cases, save where it is a case of life and death. Doctors, too, will be urged to dispense with nurses as far as possible.
FRIDAY, JULY 5, 1918 When the Minnit Mitchell left Wednesday morning on her regular trip to meet the train at Cushman, her entire forward deck was piled high with sacks of Sphagnum moss, to be shipped to Eugene for the Red Cross society. The moss had been gathered by volunteer labor some two weeks before, and brought to town where it was spread out to dry on the floor of the Miller building. The ladies of the Red Cross Auxiliary picked over and removed all foreign substances from the moss and placed it in sacks for shipment. The Boy Scouts hauled the moss from the store room to the wharf where it was loaded on the boat. The shipment consisted of 92 sacks of nice moss, which will be made into surgical dressings for the soldier boys.
WILL CALL 113 MORE THIS MONTH
Lane County will be called on for 113 more men for the army before June 24, according to a dispatch from the adjutant general. Fifteen men who are graduates of grammar school, are of draft age and fitted for certain kinds of work, will be sent to Portland today for training and 98 more will be called for June 23 in the regular draft.
DAVISON AUTO PARTS 4480 Hwy. 101 , Bldg. A, Florence PH #541-997-3428 www.davisonnapa.com
16
Monmouth 373 N. PACIFIC HWY. PH#503-838-0460
Sheridan 317 S. BRIDGE St. PH#503-843-2211
Carlton 155 N. YAMHILL PH#503-852-7071
Reedsport 1480 HIGHWAY AVENUE PH#541-271-2121
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Woodburn 1655 JAMES ST. N. PACIFIC HWY & JAMES ST.
FLORENCE 125TH ANNIVERSARY ❖ JULY 25, 2018
PH#503-981-3391 Stayton 145 N. 3rd. PH#503-769-2141
Serving Oregon Communities Since 1918
Lincoln City 1221 S.W. HWY. 101 PH#541-994-5224
Mehama 21385 SANTIAM HWY. PH#503-859-2100
Tillamook 2005 11th St. PH#503-842-4451
McMinnville 1717 N.E. Baker St. PH#503-472-6114
1919
1920 BIDS WANTED
PREDATORY ANIMALS KILLED
FRIDAY, AUGUST 29, 1919 Bids will be received on or after August 25th, 1919, for the building of a school house at the Portage, near Florence, Oregon, District No. 53. The plans and specifications may be seen at the office of Jno. Hunziker, Eugene, Oregon, or at the home of Mrs. Clara Haring, Florence, Oregon. Mrs. Clara Haring Mr. Clair Hinkson Mr. Fred E. Lockwood
FRIDAY, JUNE 13, 1919 Indicative of the number of wild animals of destructive nature in Lane county is given in the set of figures recently compiled by R.S. Bryson, county clerk, on bounties paid out during the year 1918. Following is the list: wildcats, 179; seals, 71; coyotes, 16; wolves, 12; cougars, 5. A total of $721.50 was paid out in bounty money. The state adds $15 for each cougar killed and $20 for each wolf.
9-FOOT DAM ACROSS SIUSLAW
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 1919 It has been reported recently that a dam is being constructed in the Siuslaw River near Swisshome and also that a sawmill will be erected there. Our reporter who visited the scene in quest of information was told by the man in charge that he had nothing to say ‘til the dam was finished. All he would say was that they are building a nine foot dam to hold logs or run them into a log pond. The paychecks are signed in the name of Gus Oldland. He was not present when the interview took place and this is the only name we have obtained in connection with the work.
RIVER FOLKS GET MAIL DELIVERY FRIDAY, MAY 11, 1920
The following telegram which is of great interest to the people living along the river between Mapleton and Florence, was received here last Monday. It is self explanatory and reads as follows: Washington, D.C. May 10th. W.H Weatherson, Florence, Ore. The postal department has accepted the bid of Mr. Noffsinger for motor boat service in carrying the mail between Mapleton and Cushman,
service to begin June 1, 1920 and continue till July 1, 1922 six times a week. W.C. Wawley. The people along the river have been trying for over a year past to get this established. It puts them in the same position, so far as delivering the mail is concerned, as they were before the river route between Mapleton and Florence was divided to adapt the mail service to the train schedule on the railroad.
DEL PHELPS Real Estate Broker, E-Certified
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• President 2001-2004-2005. • Served as State Director 2006-2007-2008-2009. • Served for the Oregon Association of Realtors as Political Affairs Chair and Member of the Executive Committee in 2007. • Awarded the “Realtor of the Year” for the year 2003. JULY 25, 2018 ❖ CITY
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FLORENCE 125TH ANNIVERSARY ❖ 17
1921
1922 IMPROVED MEDICAL CARE COMES TO THE SIUSLAW
ROAD MATERIAL NEAR HECETA
FRIDAY, JANUARY 1921 A few days ago H.P. Larsen of Heceta, brought to town a sample of what is said to be the best material for building roads that has been found in the Coast Range. It is composed of iron and silica and there is a large deposit of it on Mr. Larsen’s ranch not far from Heceta light house. A sample of the deposit was sent to the school of mines with an inquiry as to its composition and whether it is good material for road building and the reply stated in substance that it is excellent for that purpose. When mixed with sand in the proper proportions the silica acts as a binder and the mixture hardens and makes a first class road that is unsurpassed in wearing qualities. As found in the hill the silica and iron is soft and does not dull a knife. It
could be easily handled with a steam shovel and there is enough of it to build many miles of road. The deposit is only a few rods from the coast road and is very close to the line of the proposed Roosevelt highway. Mr. Larsen states that there is only about a foot of dirt covering the bed and it has been traced for a 1,000 feet. It is not known how much farther it extends as no efforts have been made to follow it further. With an abundant supply of this material and an unlimited quantity of rock a few miles farther south on the route there is plenty of material to be easily obtained close to the line for building a good road along this part of the coast at a comparatively small cost. The road is greatly needed and we hope to see it ready for travel before many years.
GLENADA TO HAVE GOOD HOSPITAL SOON
Dr. and Mrs. Cleveland arrived last Friday from Iowa and have already leased the Glenada Hotel and will open up offices and utilize the hotel building for a hospital. This will be a valuable addition to this section of the country as the nearest hospital is at North Bend and Eugene. With all the mills and camps in operation here and the steady influx of people it goes without saying that a hospital here will be welcomed by all. Here’s wishing them all success and welcome them to the Siuslaw.
FLORENCE WANTS A DRUG STORE AND NEEDS IT BADLY
Not only Florence, but the whole Siuslaw Valley, is today without a drug store, the nearest ones being at Reedsport and Eugene. Just think of the vast territory and no drug store. We had one up to a short time ago, but as the proprietor had business interests elsewhere that required his personal attention and being unable to dispose of his fixtures and stock here when he wanted to, he just packed everything and left — the best field in the country open for some good live druggist to come in and reap the benefit.
LOCAL TRANSPORTATION IN NEED OF IMPROVEMENT Sometimes the new horseless carriage was known to venture out of its element, with predictable results.
On Site Repairs
PARTS SERVICE
In shop or Mobile
PARTS SERVICE
541-997-8287 4390 Highway 101, North, Florence 18
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FLORENCE 125TH ANNIVERSARY ❖ JULY 25, 2018
ASE CERTIFIED TECH for Truck, Auto and RV Repair
1923
Need for new roads in Lane County put men and animals on the job, which was labor intensive in early days. This construction crew is working on the Crow Road, a mile east of Territorial Highway in about 1921.
MOOSE IN SIUSLAW TERRITORY
Reports to District Game Warden from the territory between the Umpqua and Siuslaw Rivers, runs a Marshfield News dispatch, are that the five Alaskan moose liberated last year are thriving and seem accustomed to the presence of men.
MAPLETON SHINGLE MILL BURNS
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 1923 The “Busy Bee” shingle mill at Mapleton was destroyed by fire early yesterday morning, together with about 300,000 shingles; a $7,000 loss. No insurance. It is understood that the mill will be rebuilt at once.
1924
Heceta Head on the coast in the early 1900s. The new lighthouse in the background was destined to be one of the Oregon coast’s most-photographed scenes. No record exists to tell what the bathing beauties are up to, precisely — perhaps pretending to be stranded on a desert islet awash in the incoming surf.
BOOZE PATROL TO START
THE SIUSLAW NEWS, THURSDAY, OCTOBER 16, 1924 A Portland dispatch says: Seven guard picket boats now being constructed at Bremerton, Wash., will be assigned to patrol Oregon waters for smugglers and liquor runners and will be commissioned early in December Joseph Linville, United States prohibition director for Oregon announced following receipt of advices from Captain F.G. Dodge of the coast guard, stationed at Seattle. Operation of the picket boats will check completely the coast whisky traffic, Mr. Linville declared. Two boats will operate out of Coos Bay and one out of Florence. With the new vessels there will be by December 15 nine boats patrolling the Pacific northwest for liquor runners.
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Empowering Your Creativity JULY 25, 2018 ❖ CITY
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FLORENCE 125TH ANNIVERSARY ❖ 19
1925
1926 Windjammer at dockside. A schooner loads lumber at dock on the Siuslaw River at Florence. Canned salmon was also loaded on these ships, which traveled the coastal route between Oregon ports and San Francisco.
REEDSPORT MEN CONTINUE PAPER THE SIUSLAW NEWS, THURSDAY, JANUARY 29, 1925 George J. Ditgen and Maurice Richard, publishers of the Port Umpqua Courier at Reedsport have purchased the Siuslaw News from Ralph Moore, who for the past year and a half has been issuing this publication. Commencing with this issue, the owners are in charge. For the present, the News will be printed at Reedsport but will continue to be entered as second-class matter in the post office at Florence. The new publishers of the Siuslaw News have a modernly equipped job printing department in their plant and are in a position to compete with virtually any of the Oregon shops on commercial printing.
EARLY MORNING BLAZE TAKES HEAVY TOLL FLORENCE TIMES, FRIDAY, JULY 30, 1926
Fire caused a $50,000 loss at Cushman early on Sunday morning when it destroyed Cushman & Hill’s store, stock of merchandise and warehouse and the Cushman Canning Co.’s cannery. The buildings were wooden structures but new. Estimated loss of Cushman & Hill, $30,000; insurance, $20,000. Cushman Canning Co. loss, $20,000; insurance, $8,000. Origin of the fire is unknown but in some quarters incendiarism is suspected. A lodge meeting held till well after midnight and a number of persons passed by the buildings a couple of
HIGHWAY CONSTRUCTION CAMP GOING UP SEPTEMBER 11, 1925 Baker & Scharsmide, who have the contract for grading the Florence-Sutton lake unit of the Roosevelt highway, are here and have a force of men at work establishing a construction camp about three miles north of town. Considerable equipment has arrived, including a lot of dumpsters. The contractors will have their office in the theatre building. Construction will be started soon and pushed with vigor.
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hours before the fire broke out without noticing anything unusual. The post office, which had been quartered in the store, opened for business in the hay warehouse just west of the burned area. Records of the several concerns were saved although soaked when the big safe fell into the river and sprung a leak. Latest word is that Cushman & Hill are to rebuild without delay. Nothing is known of the canning company’s intentions. Loss of the cannery will work a present hardship on growers as well as check an expanding fruit industry.
FLORENCE 125TH ANNIVERSARY ❖ JULY 25, 2018
206 Nopal Street Florence, OR 97439 541-997-6226
1925 Bailey Hill Rd. Ste. A Eugene, OR 97405 541-345-0004
1927 PATSY TO CALL HERE REGULAR TRIPS DEPEND ON BUSINESS
FLORENCE TIMES The Patsy, a 200-ton gas schooner plying between Portland and San Francisco and with regular stops at Reedsport, Bandon and Port Orford, is scheduled to call at this port according to Traffic Agent J. H. Meyers of Reedsport, who was in town on Saturday looking up business for the boat. Mr. Meyers informed the Times that calls would be made here at intervals of 16 to 20 days if enough tonnage were assured to make it worthwhile. A trip or two should clear up that point. Schooner Zebra came into port with oil and merchandise for local concerns. Some time ago it was announced that this boat would carry only oil, but apparently that trade along the coast is too small to keep the crafts busy. WIDE BRIMS & FLOWERS IN FAVOR
1928
CANARY COW OREGON CHAMPION FOR 1927
Dr. Navare Dunn’s medical office was above the post office on Front Street. Dr. Dunn arrived in Florence in the 1920s.
JERSEY, 2, PRODUCES 635 POUNDS OF BUTTERFAT
FLORENCE TIMES, FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 3, 1927 W. L. Baker, who runs a dairy ranch in Canary district and specializes in Jersey stock, has received word from the A. J. C. of New York that he has the champion 2-year-old Jersey of Oregon for 1927. The animal’s record production for the year was 625 pounds of butterfat. Mr. Baker started in the dairy business not many years ago in a small way and with comparatively indifferent stock. He soon turned to purebred Jerseys, however, and since has been conspicuously successful in both show ring and market.
LINING UP FOR THE BIG WESTERN LANE ROAD CELEBRATION THE SIUSLAW OAR, FRIDAY, JUNE 29, 1928 The object of the celebration is to At a committee meeting Tuesday evening the date of August 18 was acquaint the rest of Oregon with the definitely fixed as the time for hold- beauties of the Siuslaw country and ing the big celebration in Florence it was agreed by the committee that which will announce the completion the visitors will be given excursions in 1929 of the North Fork unit of the of many of the points of beauty which Eugene-Florence highway, or the first lead out from Florence: Heceta Beach, real auto outlet for the Siuslaw region Heceta Light House, Coast Guard Staof Western Lane County. tion, and half dozen nearby lakes.
Rose Brown’s Restaurant was located on Main (Front) Street (now Bay) and serviced passengers waiting for the ferry, before the bridge was opened in 1936. This was the Ferry Slip on the south side of the River.
1774 Highway 101 • Florence, Oregon www.facebook.com/teresasunrisecoffee/ Call (541) 902-1474 JULY 25, 2018 ❖ CITY
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FLORENCE 125TH ANNIVERSARY ❖ 21
1929
1930
ANNOUNCEMENT OF O.L. FOSTER
REAL ESTATE DEALER
Front Street (now known as Bay Street) in 1929. A hardware store, the Kyle General Store (now the Bridgewater Restaurant) is on the left and across the street is Brynd Service Station, City Meat Market and the Florence Hotel. The view is looking east.
CHEESE FACTORY IS ASSURED
FEBRUARY 15, 1929 Announcement was made yesterday by H. M. Biberstein of Monitor that he will establish a cheese manufactur- Inside of one of the first full-service drug stores ing plant here within a in Florence, complete with a soda fountain, month. He has made sev- sundries, cigars and candy. eral visits to this section and after careful investigation decided soon as he arrives home he will have his equipment shipped and expects to have to make the move. Negotiations are practically com- it fully installed by March first. Mr. Biberstein operates an extensive plete for a lease on the cannery building in Cushman. The building is already whole milk plant in Monitor which he equipped with some machinery neces- will sell, after which he and his family sary in the operation of a cheese plant, will move here to give the business his particularly the boiler and piping. As personal attention.
FLORENCE, OREGON To the people of Florence and vicinity. I wish to announce that I have come to Florence to make it my home. A few weeks ago I visited Florence for the first time and was so impressed with the town and its possibilities that I decided to come to Florence to live. I have leased the Hurd Home and will run a Real Estate business in connection, and for the present will have my office in the Hurd Home. Later I will transfer my office to a more convenient place down town. I am a licensed and bonded Real Estate Broker and assure the public that I will at all times give them a square-deal. Before coming to Florence I was the manager of the Salem Realty Co. and I will continue to cooperate with them and also will cooperate with some good companies at Eugene, as well as other towns, and I do not see any reason why we can’t start something in the near future in Florence.
Team Voogd
Christina Voogd - Principal Broker Amanda Austin - Marketing Assistant Sarah Quinn - Buyers Specialist Tina Harris - Assistant
Christina Voogd
ABR, GRI, CRS, Principal Broker Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Northwest Real Estate
Florence Branch PO Box 276, 1875 Hwy. 101 Florence OR 97439 22
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FLORENCE 125TH ANNIVERSARY ❖ JULY 25, 2018
Cell: 541 999-0239
Business Fax: 866-499-9414 cvoogd@bhhsnw.com www.CallChristina.com
1931
1932
SEA LION CAVES
East side of Lincoln Street (now known as Maple Street in Old Town Florence) between Front Street and 2nd Street. Old School House (Siuslaw Pioneer Museum) is located at the left and Florence Bank is located at the far right of the above photo, as well as in the lower photo.
It is established that Captain Cox purchased the land containing the Sea Lion Caves in 1887 from the State of Oregon. He Sea Lion Caves opened for business in 1932. and his heirs owned the The view here shows what the facility looked like in 1936. property until 1926. There were no roads in the area at that time. The slopes of the rocky headlands were used for sheep pasture. Access to the caves from the hillside above was not even considered until after the land was acquired by R.E. Clanton in 1927, with the specific intention of opening the Caves as a business. In 1930, when it became probable that U.S. Highway 101 would be completed, Clanton was joined by J.G. Houghton and J.E. Jacobson. The three partners decided to risk all that they owned and could borrow to build a safe access to the cave. A trail 1,500 feet long was excavated by hand into the face of the cliff and at its lower termination a 135 stair-step wooden tower was extended down to the north entrance of the caves. Despite the difficulty and danger of the construction, the trail and stairs provided safe access for visitors and Sea Lion Caves was opened to the public by this route in August 1932. The traffic was light at first. The highway was only a graveled road until 1934, and until 1937 there were five ferry crossings within 100 miles. However, word of the amazing phenomenon spread and the number of people visiting Sea Lion Caves slowly grew until 1942, when virtually all such travel was halted by World War II. Meanwhile, Clanton withdrew from the partnership and R.A. Saubert was admitted as part owner. The same three families have since operated Sea Lion Caves as a private responsibility with ownership passing to the partners’ sons after World War II.
Transforming lives through learning at Lane Community College at Florence! ƌĞĚŝƚ͗ ƚ > &ůŽƌĞŶĐĞ͕ LJŽƵ ĐĂŶ ŵĞĞƚ Ăůů ƚŚĞ ĂĐĂĚĞŵŝĐ ƌĞƋƵŝƌĞŵĞŶƚƐ ƚŽ ĂƩ ĂŝŶ ĂŶ Associate of Arts Oregon Transfer (AAOT) degree that will unlock the door to future ĞĚƵĐĂƟ ŽŶĂů ŽƉƉŽƌƚƵŶŝƟ ĞƐ ĂĐƌŽƐƐ KƌĞŐŽŶ͛Ɛ ĨŽƵƌͲLJĞĂƌ ƵŶŝǀĞƌƐŝƚLJ ƐLJƐƚĞŵ͘ zŽƵ ĐĂŶ ĂůƐŽ work toward a number of other transfer and career technical degrees or take classes ƚŽ ŝŵƉƌŽǀĞ ĨŽƵŶĚĂƟ ŽŶĂů ĂĐĂĚĞŵŝĐ ƐŬŝůůƐ͘ ŽŶƟ ŶƵŝŶŐ ĚƵĐĂƟ ŽŶ͗ If you are a lifelong learner interested in personal or professional development, you’ll find an amazing array of offerings at the Florence Center. From health and wellness, arts and recreation and the latest in technology and community-oriented classes to our renowned Outward Ventures program, you’re sure to find classes you will enjoy.
3149 Oak Street Ɣ 541/997-8444 Ɣ www.lanecc.edu/florence JULY 25, 2018 ❖ CITY
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FLORENCE 125TH ANNIVERSARY ❖ 23
1933
1934 Florence Hotel
Hurd Sawmill located approximately where ICM Restaurant is located today.
MANY REGISTER FOR WORK IN FORESTS
THE SIUSLAW OAR, FRIDAY, APRIL 13, 1933 Many young men are registering for the jobs in the forest service, the pay for which will be $1 per day, board and clothes. No definite information has been received when the call will come to go to work. It is possible that there will be several men for each job offered.
SLAUGHTER BIRDS THAT PREY ON FISH
FRIDAY, JANUARY 27, 1933 A drive against the ever increasing number of shags was held by the sportsmen of Reedsport recently on the Umpqua River and also on Tahkenitch Lake. It is said the game commission furnished the ammunition and an officer accompanied the sportsmen. Every bird contained fish and one had fortified itself with 14 and was still fishing. The Florence section could stand a drive of this kind, and if permission were given the local boys would be glad to furnish their own powder.
PROPOSE TO PLANT JAPANESE OYSTERS HERE
FRIDAY, MARCH 3, 1933 There is a real prospect of securing an oyster bed here, or perhaps a lot of beds. Among local people who are interested are J. C. Ponsler, E. L. Hill, and Mayor D. M. Kyle. The local rod and gun club has also been investigating. Mr. Ponsler received a letter this week stating that Mike Hoy, master fish warden, would soon make a visit here to determine just where are these beds suitable for oysters to lie, and also to give advice as to planting. The Japanese oyster will be planted, a kind that grows to maturity in eight to nine months. They come in a form called spats, packed in boxes, each box costing about $3.00, the lowest price yet quoted. The plan is to purchase 50 boxes. Those who have to do with oyster culture claim that the Japanese oyster does not propagate along this part of the coast which means that plantings would be required every year or two to keep the crop going. The oysters will live and grow for 15 years or more.
OBSERVATION TOWER AT HOTEL REMOVED THE SIUSLAW OAR, FRIDAY, MAY 5, 1933 The observation story of Florence stage always follows civilization and Hotel has been removed. In its pass- so Florence hadn’t been going on long ing one might bring up quite a bit of until it had a stage line. It’s run was history. It was from this place that one between Florence and Gardiner and it might enjoy a fine morning view of the used the hard sands of the ocean beach ocean, the only building in Florence for a highway, and approaching Florfrom which one can catch a glimpse of ence it crossed the low sand dunes to the sea. a point on the south river bank. From They tell us, however, that this look- this point the stage driver would signal out was built not so much for the en- to the landlord in his tower how many tertainment of the hotel guests but that passengers wanted lodging or meals. the landlord could himself scramble When the connecting boat brought up the three or four flights of stairs to them up the river the meals were ready catch the signals from a stage terminal and hospitality of this kind made busia mile and a half down the river. The ness.
AIRPLANE LANDING FIELD ALMOST SURE THE SIUSLAW OAR, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 1934
After making a personal investigation of conditions here Major Geo. Sandy of the federal aircraft department of Portland voiced his opinion that Florence stands in line for securing an airplane landing field. Mayor Kyle has busied himself in securing the necessary information
which the department requires. County engineer was here Tuesday and lines were run on a tract of land just north of the old city limits about one-fourth of a mile west of the Coast Highway. The field will be about 5,000 feet long and 500 feet wide, running north and south.
www.ci.florence.or.us 24
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FLORENCE 125TH ANNIVERSARY ❖ JULY 25, 2018
1935
1936
Construction of the Siuslaw River Bridge
SIUSLAW BRIDGE DEDICATION AND RHODODENDRON DAY, MAY 23-24 THE SIUSLAW OAR, FRIDAY FEBRUARY 10, 1936
Looking north from top of south arch. Note ferry heading toward Florence dock.
One thing is certain, after a special meeting and the regular February meeting of the Siuslaw Chamber of Commerce this week, the Siuslaw bridge dedication here and Florence’s annual Rhododendron day have been set for Saturday and Sunday, May 23 and 24.
The events will also be by way of dedicating the Siuslaw highway and the completion of the Coast Highway through this section. Another event of the celebration, of course, will be the big dinner, for which inlanders eagerly await, and the choosing of a queen and her court.
TO BEAUTIFY OUR HIGHWAYS THE SIUSLAW OAR, FRIDAY, JANUARY 10, 1936
Looking north from top of cement tower.
The highway commission is taking a fine step in forming a board that will have authority to look after the beautification of our highways. The move has no doubt been augumented by clubs and interested citizens. It would be a shame to have, for example, a twenty million dollar highway like we are getting on the coast, not to be scenic. There is a lot to this. The scenic board should have a wide play. It should come
JULY 25, 2018 ❖ CITY
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down to Florence and tell us how to clean up.We are in a bad mess. With our opportunity to be one of the finest towns on the coast we are a bit backward. Our harbor looks “like the dickens” so to speak. What we want is a town that looks good to people passing by. We want people to say, when they pass over our new bridge, that here is a swell looking place. Let’s go look it over.
FLORENCE 125TH ANNIVERSARY ❖ 25
1937 CRAB PLANT WILL BE LAUNCHED HERE FRIDAY, AUGUST 27, 1937
Announcement was made this week that a crab plant for picking and shipping crabs will be established on the river. Joe Greenberg of Marshfield and O. Olsen of San Francisco have leased the dock and warehouse of Tillet Torgerson on the Glenada side for the Crabco company of San Francisco. A fleet of six boats is to be brought here to engage in the crabbing industry. Each boat will be 26 feet long. The new concern is that they will ship all jumbo crabs to the California market, only the smaller crabs being left to be picked at the plant here. From these the Florence plant will ship the meat in bulk measure, not in cans.
LOCAL FISHERMEN RETURN TO WATERS FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 1937
Local fishermen have gone to work. The little dispute between the buyers and the fishermen has been settled at five cents a pound for silversides. The chinook season is about over. These brought about eight cents. When the steelheads come on there will possibly be another tangle. The silversides are now regarded as a game fish and bring, on the block, the highest price. Catfish are no longer “at the merc” of the fisherman, which makes them a delicacy. A limit on bass and croppies had its effect.
View of Florence from the 1936 dedication of the Siuslaw River Bridge. The building in forground is the Old School Building, now housing the Siuslaw Pioneer Museum, and the Hurd Mill is in the background.
1938 AFTER TEN YEARS OF OUR ENDEAVORS THE SIUSLAW OAR, FRIDAY, JUNE 10, 1938
Ten years ago when the Siuslaw Oar was founded, a certain baker even as your editor decided that here was a field for him. But his field lasted one short month. Now we have one of the finest bakeries on the coast. Was there room for a drug store? No. But now we have two and both going strong. A lumber yard was unheard of. It would be impossible. Now we have one of the finest lumber yards in the Siuslaw country. Only one place to stop on the wavering road from here to Waldport. It was six miles out from Florence. It took nerve to drive this road even when the wind wasn’t blowing. Si Cooper had three kinds of gears in his mail car to make the route. Credit should go to him for scooping gravel. Now it is whiz-bang all along the way. Finest of pavement, beautiful scenery, resplendent verdure, remarkable improvements all along. Dozens and dozens of fine homes. Fine accommodations await the traveler. Electrical equipment, purest water, abundant fuel. Campgrounds built by the government where local people joy in picnicking. Nothing is lacking. Ten years ago there was no road from the Willamette valley that had a hatful of gravel between Mapleton and Florence. Now we have the scenic Ma-
pleton hill route and the paved river route, both admirable and convenient avenues of traffic. It cost the state and federal government over a million dollars to build the 15-mile stretch of road from the north thru rock, over creeks a hundred feet from water, tunneling, rock banisters and all for safety and scenic beauty. It cost a half-million dollars to erect the Florence bridge – one of the most beautiful on the coast. All within less than ten years. This section of the highway skirts the most scenic view of the ocean. As to grocery stores, ten years ago there were two. Now there are seven. Meat markets, then only one, now three with up-to-date equipment. Three doctors where there was only one. Carpenters have more than trebled and a concrete mixer was to come in during this period. As to buildings: Many more than 200 in the immediate vicinity. Substantial business buildings, about 15, Union High School, City Hall, Legion Hall, Christian Church and many fine improvements. As to power and light service, we now have it. Ten years ago one 15-horse power engine furnished the lights. There was not an electric stove in town. There was good water in abundance, the city plant being built in 1917 and rebuilt in 1936.
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The Only Emergency Medical Service & Critical Care Transport Service in Western Lane County. Proud to serve the residents of Western Lane Ambulance District, Call 541-997-9614 those visiting the District and any others in need of medical attention. for more information
FLORENCE 125TH ANNIVERSARY ❖ JULY 25, 2018
1939
1940
RHODODENDRON FESTIVAL ATTRACTS 3,500 VISITORS
FRIDAY, JUNE 2, 1939 The weatherman was good, the clam was enough for all. chowder was good and the coffee was The big dinner was served on newly good. built tables and cooked from newly built So the annual Rhododendron Festi- ovens, largely the work of the Siuslaw val, held here Sunday, was pronounced Booster club and held in the new park, a success. Throng after throng came a donation (with reservations) by the from all directions and from long dis- Porter brothers, former operators of the tances until almost every available re- big mill which was recently destroyed source of the community was estimated by fire. Other events were sponsored by to number upward of 3,500. Estimates the Siuslaw Beachnut Club. are gathered from the number of bowls Yaquina’s coast guard boating team used at the big free feed, the attendance won over the local coast guard team in at the hotels — which upset all previous an exciting race, viewed by many hunrecords — the jammed restaurants and dreds from the Siuslaw bridge. The looverflowing beer parlors. By good luck cals had defeated the visitors in a conprovisions came out almost a tie. There test recently held at Newport.
NEW THEATRE OPENS
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 1939 Patrons will get a thrill when they who designed the structure. In every behold the beauty of this structure. It respect it is modern, even to the screen is an ornament to the passer-by, giving which alone goes far into a year’s earnprestige to the substantial group of new ing. Heat, ventilation, convenience, business houses which adjoin. The lo- and finally good programs, have all cation is ideal for the showhouse and at been carefully considered. first glance one will know that it is exDIAL PHONES COME ceptionally fine for a town of this size. TO FLORENCE Nor will one be deceived on enterIt may not be long until Florence will ing. The 400 seats, leather upholstered, with the aisles of soft carpet give you have the modern dial system of phoning. A a certainty that this place was built to thumb with the busybody might get tired, keep pace with a progressive commu- but there will be nobody to blame unless you use the same expressions when a tire nity. blows out or the paper fails to come. The double set of projection maFlorence is slated to have her dial syschines are of the latest type. Sound has tem even ahead of Eugene – six months or been well cared for by the engineers a year.
HIGHWAY NOW HAS ANOTHER MARKET
PILE DRIVE AT WORK ON SIUSLAW DOCK
Today we have a new business place in town, the Siuslaw Sea Food Shop. Its location is in the string of enterprises which have been built along the highway in the past few years. All of them within a narrow-shot from the bridge, and all of them very creditable establishments. Only last week Mrs. Walter Brynd opened a quick lunch station, named the Oceanaire, and it took on for a knock-out. Now comes Si Cooper who has just opened a seafood shop. New building, new fixtures, new everything. It will afford a double service where you can buy cooked crabs by the score or rest at the table and partake of dressed crabs, crab or oyster cocktails or any of the nice delicacies in the seafood line.
Six men of the county bridge building crew are here and have commenced work on the new dock for the Port Commission. It will be 300 feet long and about 80 feet wide, with housing accommodations. A few pilings were driven Wednesday. The engine broke and repairs were due yesterday evening. Men are trimming the pilings for rings and cutting timbers to proper lengths. It is a busy place. Estimates are that the job will take at least four weeks, with added conveniences now and then. It will be one of the finest facilities for coastwise shipping on any river along the coast.
CUT THROUGH HILL MAKING PROGRESS FRIDAY, JANUARY 19, 1940
Martin Petersen, contractor for removing the sand and soil from the big cut which will connect Lincoln Street (now Maple) with the Coast Highway, is beginning a search for disposals. Fills on Main Street (now First) near the Oar office have already given the boys a new playground for various
sports. A slice of soil and a layer of gravel will give this end of town a fine 70 foot street. In days gone by plank streets served in many places. Even as far as the North Fork bridge, at that time an innovation, now not a plank remains. All are hard surfaced.
PORT OF SIUSLAW FOR RESERVATIONS
541-997-3040
www.portofsiuslaw.com 1st & Harbor • Florence, OR 97439 email:campground@portofsiuslaw.com
JULY 25, 2018 ❖ CITY
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FLORENCE 125TH ANNIVERSARY ❖ 27
1941
1942
The new Siuslaw Bridge and Treffry Auto Service (later Bill’s Auto and now River Roasters) below on Front Street.
Patterson’s Service Station (now Sears location) on Coast Highway
TOMORROW AND SUNDAY THE CROWDS WILL ENJOY A WEST COAST MARVEL
FRIDAY, MAY 16, 1941 Every indication is that our section kept in close pace by invitations, by of “God Bless America” is to have its entertainment and by banquets such inning in the respect to providing as only the bountiful lakes and the pleasant dreams for pleasant people shores of our Pacific provide. and by pleasing people. There is a wholesome welcome This particular festival is to be the awaiting every visitor, and you will thirty-third which has been supplied find pleasant thoughts that will last by Nature’s background, and many, undiminished for another year. many times the local people have
NEW GRADE SCHOOL SITE IS SELECTED
FRIDAY, JANUARY 31, 1941 At the citizen’s meeting Tuesday corner of the tract being only a short evening before the board of the union distance from the highway. This latter grade school a vote was taken on the site was chosen by a vote of 69, with location for a new school building. seven votes for the other site. The entire tract is quite level and Two sites were up for consideration, one adjoining the high school on the streets lead to it from several direcsouth and the other was a tract consist- tions. It is county owned property and ing of about one and one-half blocks will be secured at a cost of $200. Plans will go ahead at once for a new roughly described as lying a short distance north of the water tower, one grade school building.
Since 1944
GLASS BALLS PICKED UP BY LOCAL MAN THE SIUSLAW OAR, FRIDAY, APRIL 3, 1942
Over twenty glass balls were picked up by Clint Bason, Ralph and Martin Petersen last Saturday on the beach from Reedsport north to the Florence jetty. Eight of these were large, with one being most unusual, as the ropes, covered with barnacles and Portugese Men of War, still were intact. The men had set out originally to salvage some lumber but on discovering the glass balls came home with the pickup truck filled with them instead. A ready market was found for their disposal.
47,000 POUNDS OF SCRAP RUBBER WEST LANE TOTAL THE SIUSLAW OAR, FRIDAY, JULY 2, 1942
Reports on the scrap rubber drive here up to Wednesday showed that a total of 21,000 pounds of the material had been collected at the Standard Oil Company stations and at the Johnston Motor Company. This is an amount equal to ten and one half tons. A total of 26,000 pounds of the scrap rubber was reported collected by the Shell Oil Company here. Eight tons of this amount was at the Brynd Service Station. The combined totals make an aggregate total of 23 1/2 tons of scrap rubber as this community’s contribution so far to the national drive, which has now been extended to July 10.
CHEESE PLANT DOING A RUSHING BUSINESS THE SIUSLAW OAR, FRIDAY, MAY 8, 1942
The Swift and Company cheese plant in Cushman is doing a rushing business these days, making 3,000 pounds of cheese a day. About 30,000 pounds of milk are being received daily, which is about a third
more than has ever before been received – 20,000 pounds being the most received previously. There are nine persons employed at the plant with A. G. McDonald manager.
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FLORENCE 125TH ANNIVERSARY ❖ JULY 25, 2018
1943
1944
INFORMATION FROM YOUR RATION BOARD
- The Ragan Hotel - A Florence Landmark
THE SIUSLAW OAR, FRIDAY, JANUARY 22, 1943
All people who are using their automobiles are directed to read the printed matter on their gas ration books. OPA requires that the owner’s signature be written on the back of his book, and that the car license number and state of registration be put on each coupon. This will afford protection for the holder against loss or theft. Coupon No. 3 in the A gasoline book became void last midnight and coupon No. 4 in the book is valid from this day on till March 21, inclusive. All supplementary books – B, C, R, E, and T1, have their expiration dates on the cover and are not valid after the respective dates. All unused coupons must be returned to the office in which they were issued. Date of tire inspection for holders of all A books has been extended from January 31 until March 31. There has also been an extension for B and C book holders until February 28. This does not mean that you should not have them inspected now. The extensions were made merely to allow the inspectors more time to do the work. Everyone should have their initial tire inspection as soon as possible. Stamp No. 10 in War Ration book No. 1 is valid for the purchase of three pounds of sugar until midnight of January 31. Stamp No. 28 in the same book is good until February 7 for the purchase of one pound of coffee by any person whose age was shown in Book No. 1 as 15 years or over. There has been a lot of publicity concerning the issuance of War Ration Book No. 2. The exact date has not as yet been set. This ration book will offer something entirely new to the American people as it will be based on the point system, but little difficulty or inconvenience should result in its use. The point system is really a second type of money. Housewives will not only use their house-
keeping budget but they will soon learn to budget their points and to appraise their needs, which is all that will be necessary. War ration book No. 2 will be issued from the local War Price and Rationing office over a period of about two weeks. Issuance will be made by presentation of book No. 1 to the local office by any adult of the family or other responsible person. It will not be necessary for every member of the family to present themselves at the board as one person can do this very nicely.
HOTEL PUTS IN NEW OFFICE FURNISHINGS
AIR RAID DRILLS FOR SCHOOL TO BE HELD
FRIDAY, MARCH 31, 1944
Hotel Ragan has added another attraction to its cheerful lobby with the recent installation of conveniently arranged and beautifully designed knotty pine office furnishings, which will afford the best in accomodating hotel patrons and bus passengers. This improvement is in keeping with the policy of managers Mr. and Mrs. Lee Ragan and daughter Miss Eleanor Ragan, who combine continuous and efficient service in operating one of the Oregon Coast’s most charming hotels.
FRIDAY, MARCH 5, 1943
The Florence grade school had an air raid drill Tuesday, March 2nd. This is the first one we have had for some time due to past stormy weather. Since the nice weather is here we expect to have them regularly.
SURGICAL DRESSINGS CLASS WANTS WOMEN FRIDAY, JUNE 18, 1943
Every patriotic-minded woman who can spare a few hours once or twice a week is badly needed in the surgical dressings class where the quota has been set for 5,000 such dressings each month. At Tuesday’s meeting, 200 4x4s were turned out. Nine of the original class being present and four newcomers, the Mesdames C. B. Dutton, A.N. Myer, Marshall Murray and J. Lark. With the opening of many second fronts now so imminent, the need for this important branch of army service will increase the local quota AND may be upped at any time.
NEW STORE OPENS FOR BUSINESS HERE FRIDAY, MAY 12, 1944 Newest business enterprise for Florence is the Western Lane Hardware and Electric, which was opened last Saturday in the former location of the Milady Shoppe in the new IOOF building’s ground floor. The proprietor is Marshall Murray. The business will be actively conducted by Mrs. Murray and Mr. Murray is also local
manager for the Central Lincoln Peoples Utility District. The Murrays came here from Waldport a couple of years ago and these young people are to be congratulated upon opening a business that will doubtless fill a long-felt need here as the business progresses. At the opening the stock on hand presents nice lines of dishes and toys.
Cel Ove ebr r 7 ati 0 Y ng ear s!
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FLORENCE 125TH ANNIVERSARY ❖ 29
1945
1946
WORLD WAR II ENDS AFTER NEARLY SIX YEARS OF CONFLICT FRIDAY, AUGUST 17, 1945
End is Proclaimed at 4 P.M. Tuesday– For once the sound of our fire siren was welcome and that was shortly after four o’clock Tuesday p.m. when it sounded the glad tidings that August 14, 1945 would live in history as the date World War II finally ended. While no San Francisco or Portland celebrations were staged here, people soon gathered on the streets, flags went up, firecrackers popped and faces wore their happiest smiles. A two-day business holiday was at once declared; only amusements went on. Pre-war fireworks held for this occasion were brought out and a big dis-
play set off Tuesday night on the sand fill for the new cabin site on the bay front. Friends gathered in homes and impromptu dance with oldtime music attracted dancers to the Rainbow Ballroom. The world is at peace for the first time since 1939 and Gen. Douglas MacArthur, named as supreme allied commander in the Pacific area and with represntatives from the other three big powers, China, England and Russia will gather most fittingly in Manila today to witness Japan’s official surrender and to speed the proclamation of V-J Day.
CONSOLIDATION OF GRADE SCHOOLS IS APPROVED AT POLLS FRIDAY, APRIL 20, 1945
Consolidation of the Idlewyld, North Fork, Westlake, Cushman and Florence consolidated grade school districts was effected at the elections held Tuesday evening at the various grade school houses, with all districts voting favorably. Florence was unanimous in its decision with 132 favorable votes being cast. Voting in the other districts was as follows: Idlewyld, yes 10, no 5; Westlake, yes 16, no 9; North Fork, yes 34, no 5; Cushman, yes 31, no 7. Voting on the necessary bond issue to provide funds for constructing an adequate building to house the approx-
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imate 248 pupils will probably be held about May 15th. With consolidation, the Siuslaw Union High School District and the grade school district will automatically become one school system, governed by one school board. Oustanding indebtedness... against the Union High School District remains $10,400 contrary to earlier reports. Of this sum $1,500 are bonds against the auditorium and $8,900 against the original building fund. One bond amounting to $900 will be called August 1st.
FLORENCE 125TH ANNIVERSARY ❖ JULY 25, 2018
KYLE’S STORE SOLD TO DR., MRS. WEBER FRIDAY, MARCH 8, 1946
Wm. Kyle and Sons Co. Inc., changed hands March 1. After 46 years Mike, Dave and Ed Kyle sold the business to Dr. Vernon F. Weber and Emmy Lou Weber, co-partners, who have assumed the firm name of Wm. Kyle and Sons. Established in 1886 as Meyer & Kyle, general merchandise, it has remained the leading store in Florence, growing up with the town. In 1900 the firm has been incorporated under the laws of Oregon. The senior Mr. Kyle retired from business in 1915. Wm. M. Kyle Sr. came to the Umpqua in 1884 aboard the small freighter Mischief, arriving in Florence the following year. The Kyles have not only been merchants but actively engaged in boat building, the cannery and sawmill business as well. The sons have been ever active in promoting the welfare of the community, as was their father, with
some member of the family serving an office on the city council since the city’s incorporation in 1893. Both Dave and Mike have served many terms as mayor and on the school boards where Mike has served a total of 32 years. During the years the store has maintained quality service and unknown to many is the generosity of the Kyle family who has quietly given many a needy person not only the staff of life but the delicacy of home-baked pie and needed clothing. E. H. Kyle’s son Edwin has resigned his position with Crown Zellerbach corporation and will assume W. J. Kyle’s job of bookkeeper. Mike will remain as store manager for six months or a year, with Dave and Ed also remaining on the job until proper replacements can be made and then they are going fishing.
1947
1948 Highway 101 Business District in 1948
Throngs of people celebrate the return of the Rhododendron Festival in 1947.
FESTIVAL MAGNET FOR GOOD CROWDS
FRIDAY, JUNE 6, 1947 But the dedication of the new FlorGood crowds were in the city for the first Rhododendron Festival to be staged ence airport easily proved the highlight by this community since the annual event of Sunday and of the Festival. Timed to was halted by the recent war. The fact that start around one o’clock Sunday afterthe first real rain in many weeks arrived noon, the dedication and accompanying coincidental with the Festival did not have air show drew a crowd estimated conservatively at well over 1,500 people. a deterring effect. Launching the dedication ceremony, While Sunday was the big day of the festival, the Browning brothers carnival Manager Dale Hall of the port called on arrived last Thursday from Salem and was Hans Petersen, Western Lane pioneer open for business that evening on the high good roads builder and, aviation enthusischool grounds where it was open to the ast who said that this airport was the fuldelight of young and old each afternoon fillment of two years of good persistent and evening until nightfall Sunday, when endeavors, and who officially turned the the carnival began perparing to leave for airport over to Mayor Kenneth B. Spencer pointed out the creation of this airthe Strawberry Festival at Lebanon. Two outstanding attractions, in addi- port was unique in that it was probably tion to the carnival, drew the crowds Sun- the only airfield in Oregon built entirely day. At the city park just east of the busi- thru local civic enterprise. It seemed that nature extended a speness district the big clam chowder feed was served starting at noon. Here, Hugh cial hand to this portion of the festival Faulkner and Art Harris officiated as chefs as the clouds drew back, the sun came and 500 gallons of chowder were served to forth, and spectators as well as partican assembled crowd. The chowder recipe ipants in the cermonies at hand approved. was that of the late Bert Chandler’s.
Florence Jewelers (above) Johnston Motors (right)
PLYWOOD OPERATIONS START AT MAPLETON FRIDAY, JUNE 11, 1948
The past week marked the opening of a new industry in Mapleton when the U.S. Plywood plant made its first piece of finished plywood. This climaxed the planning of about four years. The veneer plant was in operations for about two years prior to the completion, of the new plant. W.C. Baily, vice president and general manager of the United States Plywood Corporation was in Mapleton for the conclusion of this work. Harry R. Mahoney is resident manager and Alton Lane Superintendent of the operation. It was no mean task to train the many employees who have never before seen the inside of the plywood plant much less of knowing anything of the inticacies of the var-
ious operations employed in making plywood, so that each one would be able to efficiently perform his or her duties. The plant is operating two shifts. The culmination of the week was a banquet at Goddard’s Restaurant, Florence, for about 60 key men and their wives of the U.S. Plywood corporation and Siuslaw Forest Products Inc. The party was given by the U.S. Plywood with Mr. and Mrs. W.C. Baily from Seattle acting as host and hostess. Each one stressed that success is due, not to one man, but to the combined efforts of all working together for one aim, from the time the timber is contracted for thru all operations until it emerges the finished product.
A CO M M U N I T Y- O W N E D E L EC T R I C
U T I LI TY
Our mission is to provide the people of Oregon’s Central Coast with reliable and affordable electricity in the tradition of public power. 966 Highway 101 Florence • 541-997-3414 JULY 25, 2018 ❖ CITY
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FLORENCE 125TH ANNIVERSARY ❖ 31
1949
1950
ADVERTISEMENT FROM PAGES OF SIUSLAW OAR — APRIL 1, 1949
28,000 TUNA BOAT GOES AGROUND IN FOG FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 1950
The tuna boat Spray, 13 hours out enroute to Newport went aground in the fog early Tuesday morning on the beach near Tahkenitch outlet, almost directly opposite the bear pens. Aboard the vessel were the owner and master, Wm. Selset of Seattle and two crewmen. All were able to safely make their way ashore. The boat is valued at $28,000 including its cargo of four tons of tuna valued
STREET SIGNS PLACED HERE LAST SATURDAY FRIDAY, MAY 26, 1950
The Lions did it Saturday. Street signs are posted in Florence after more than 50 years, and everyone can now establish where one lives and census is completed with the enumerator using the hunt guess method checking at the city hall to make sure that Mr. Jack lived two houses east of Mr. Mole on Garginier Avenue in the city limits. Bob Murray and Johny Ballard have had the signs ready to be posted for six months awaiting the signal and proper time to do their posting.
at $3,000. It is believed to be a total loss. Some insurance was carried. Wilbur Ternyik and Walter Fossek rowed out to the Spray about 9 a.m. Wednesday and assisted in bringing some of the equipment ashore. Coast Guardsmen from Siuslaw Lifeboat Station and the Umpqua Coast Guard Station have been working at the scene.
SCHOOLS EMPLOYING SEVEN BUSES NOW
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 22, 1950 Seven buses are now transporting school children of Siuslaw District 97J. A new route was established Tuesday which goes to the Coast Guard station. Enrollment in the grade school reached 563 and in the high school 205 Tuesday.
US TOO FLORENCE
• Check out our Personal Prostate Cancer Journeys, slideshows and other information on our website. • A prostate cancer diagnosis is not needed to attend. • Spouses/family members are encouraged to attend. • Bring questions/records - get answers • Someone to talk to - who understands. www.ustooflorence.org 32
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FLORENCE 125TH ANNIVERSARY ❖ JULY 25, 2018
BOB HORNEY, CHAPTER LEADER/FACILITATOR
Us TOO Florence has two monthly meetings for your convenience:
• Tuesday Evening Group (2nd Tuesday) 5-7 p.m. - Ichiban Chinese/Japanese Restaurant • Urologist Dr. Bryan Mehlhaff attends.
• Tuesday Lunch Group (3rd Tuesday) 12 noon – 1:00 p.m. – Ichiban Chinese/Japanese Restaurant • Urologist Dr. Roger McKimmy attends.
Contact Bob for more information: (H) 541-997-6626 • (C) 541-999-4239 maribob@oregonfast.net
1951
1952
~ AERIAL VIEWS OF FLORENCE IN 1951 ~
FURNITURE STORE OPENS TOMORROW
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 24, 1952 Western Lane Furniture Company by the work will be accomplishd by the will hold its grand opening Saturday, owners, with ample space allowed for Oct. 25, at its conveniently located parking and future expansion, and a building on the Oregon coast highway warehouse planned in the immediate in north Florence, directly opposite the future. For the convenience of late shoppers Standard Oil plant. The new firm is jointly owned by the store will be open until 9 p.m. eachJohn Storkan and Henry Johnson and night but Monday. will stock complete home furnishings at competitive prices. ELKS LODGE TO BE The store owners explain that their INSTITUTED JUNE 4 aim is to be very competitive as far as FRIDAY, MAY 30, 1952 prices are concerned and they will not Lodge will be held at 7:15 p.m. be undersold by valley prices. They Wednesday, June 4, Siuslaw High will strive to supply every household School auditorium. need making it unnecessary to shop in There will be a class of 264 new other cities for home furnishings and members and 40 present members to if a particular item is not in stock they will order it. They will also do as much be initiated by the Coos Bay lodge. The new officers will be installed by commercial work as possible. The pumice block building covers Judge Frank Lonegren, past grand ex2,700 square feet of floor space with alted ruler, assisted by the state ritualLester Dloughy directing the carpentry istic team. There will be a delegation from each work and Ralph Paull doing the masonry. The building design and much present lodge in the state attending. Western Lane Furniture sponsored floats in many Rhododendron Festival parades, including this one from 1959.
The Year 1952 Sponsored by:
4325 Highway 101 Florence, OR 97439 (541) 997-7178
DOING THE RIGHT THING SINCE 1952
MON-FRI: 8:00am - 6:00pm SAT: 8:00am - 5:00pm
JULY 25, 2018 â?– CITY
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FLORENCE 125TH ANNIVERSARY â?– 33
1953 NEW PUD BUILDING TO BE DEDICATED SATURDAY FRIDAY, MAY 22, 1953
Dedication of the new home of Central Lincoln at the junction of Highways 101 and 36, will be held at 2 p.m., Saturday, May 23, after which there will be open house for the public’s inspection of this modern building. The building is of reinforced concrete construction and designed to satisfy the needs of the district for many years. The total floor area in the building is approximately 6,670 square feet, all on one floor, altho being on three different levels offices, display room, locker room, and restrooms comprise 2,950 square feet.
TELEVISION! IT’S HERE!
Television has come to town! Jack McLean had an Emerson set with 17inch screen installed Sunday at Holiday Lodge and the reception is wonderful. Interesting is the fact that the antenna is placed down by Woahink Lake on the pump house, where reception was found to be strongest! and Jack relates the higher they went the weaker it got, but a good strong reception has been enjoyed by guests of Holiday this week. So far it is the Portland station KOIN that is being received most consistently with occassional pictures from other stations.
1954
HOSPITAL DISTRICT VOTE IS NEXT TUESDAY FRIDAY, JUNE 5, 1953
On June 10 the people of Western Lane County will vote on the formation of a hospital district which they hope will lead to the construction, operation and maintenance of a 17 to 25-bed hospital with central facilities for future additions. If this measure is passed it will add another link in a rapidly growing chain of community expansion and greatly aid in making Western Lane a more self-sustaining community. Along with increasing power facilities, the new high school in Florence recently approved by the voters and soon to be started, more and better medical facilities are sorely needed to serve the ever increasing population of this area. Supporters of the measure point out that the estimated cost of $2.50 a year to the average tax payer is but a small fraction of extra travel expense, ambulance fees, lost work time, and other costs to a family when hospitalization is required 50 miles or more from home
Greyhound bus station — intersection of Highway 101 & Maple Street
RAMP ON RIVER FOR BOATS TAKING FORM FRIDAY, APRIL 2, 1954 A public boat launching ramp on moorage basin is taking shape this week in the Siuslaw River at the corner of Howard (now Harbor) and Main streets. Through the excellent cooperative arrangement between the City of Florence, the Florence Chamber of Commerce and Lane County Parks and Recreation committee and the donation of work and equipment approximately 7,000 yards of sand have been moved from Lincoln and Washington Streets near where the old water tower stood to make the fill. Directing much of the work has been Martin Petersen with Gene Renard, supervisor of the Lane County Parks and Recreation Committee here from Eugene in advisory capacity and very helpful in his suggesions in creating the project. Future extension of the plans will be completed as funds and equipment are available.
DEDICATION OF NEW HIGH SCHOOL HELD
FRIDAY, MAY 21,1954 Dedicated to the youth of the community was the new Siuslaw High School in ceremonies held Wednesday evening in the gymnasium, which were attended by an estimated 1,600 people. Mrs. Lucille Klinge, Lane County superintendent of schools, commended the community for providing its youth with such fine schools, tracing the growth of the district and the extended building program of recent years. Of special interest is the huge gym, designed with floor large enough for two games to be played simultaneously and balcony ample for girls’ athletics. In the school building innovations include one-way windows in doors, cork topped tables designed for pattern lay-outs and cutting in the home economics room, and a stage in the public speaking classroom.
Unique Gifts • Home Décor • Fashion Accessories • Hobbies • Collectibles • Sporting Goods 185 Nopal St., Florence, OR 97439 Owners: Frank Spieler & Melody Lowe-Spieler 971-291-2054 503-784-5615 frankspieler@hotmail.com melodylowe@hotmail.com 34
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FLORENCE 125TH ANNIVERSARY ❖ JULY 25, 2018
1955
1956 FLORENCE’S NEW STREET NAMES FRIDAY, JANUARY 6, 1956
Florence’s city ordinance, No. 280 for renamng the streets and systematic numbering of houses and businesses, became effective January 5, 1956. Posts for street sign and uniform numbers have been ordered and the project of placing them is expected to begin within two weeks.
Second Street in early 1950s
WRIGHT WELDER SOUGHT FOR ATOMIC PLANT USE
HOUSE NUMBERING PLAN INVOLVES STREET NAMES
The Heliarch welder which Jorgen Wright purchased from General Electric Corp., three years ago for his saw shop is being sought by the federal government for use at the Hanford atomic plant. Negotiations are now underway, Wright has agreed to let his equipment go if another welder, which he says will do most of the work needed by his shop, is supplied. Wright bought the best welder he could get when he bought the Heliarch, which is capable of welding magnesium and other high test alloy metals and doing intricate precision work. His was the last one known by GE to be available and it requires from nine to 18 months to obtain one from the plant. He has used it on motors, power saws and for welding small precision mechanisms at Wright’s Saw Shop.
Florence city council moved a step nearer the long delayed house numbering at a special session held Monday evening at the city hall when County Planner Howard Bufford’s proposal was studied. It was proposed that streets running north and south begin with the letters of the alphabet and be known as streets while those running east and west will be numbered from the southern boundary and be called avenues, thus Front Street would be First Ave., Main Street, Second; Josephine, Third, ect. Numbering will be from west to east starting with 100 and from south to north, the same way, with numbers running to the 2200 block in each direction of the present boundaries of the city. Further study and consultation with the county will be made.
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 1955
FRIDAY, MARCH 18, 1955
Coast Real Estate
541-997-7777
New Street Names: Former: Present: Front St. (E of 101) Bay St. Main St. (W of 101) Bay St. Main St. (E of 101) 1st St. Josephine St. 2nd St. Jefferson St. Kingwood St. Washington St. Laurel St. Lincoln St. Maple St. Hamlin (S of 4th) Nopal St. Hamlin (N of 4th) Maple St. Seward (S of 4th) Oak St. Seward (N of 4th) Nopal St. Howard (N of 4th) Oak St. Howard (N of 4th) Harbor St. 5th St. Rhododendron Dr. Hayes St. Alder St. Grant St. Birch St. Buchanan St. Cedar St.
New Street Names: Former: Present: Pierce St. Driftwood St. Chase St. Elm St. Polk St. Fir St. Jackson St. Greenwood St. Quincy St, Hemlock St. Monroe St. Ivy St. Madison St. Juniper St. Garginier St. Kingwood St. Adams St. Laurel St. Frasier St. Pine St. Gallagher St. Quince St. Berry St. Redwood St. Mable St. Spruce St. Warren St. Tamarack St. Griffin St. Upas St. Cherry St. Vine St. Wall St. Willow St.
Florence Public Library had its windows redone in the 1950s. It is now the location of Coldwell Banker Coast Real Estate. August 22, 1956 the Real Estate office was Incorporated as Ted Carroll, Inc.
Registered Office:
Florence Realty Co. Now Known as
Coldwell Banker Coast Real Estate 100 Hwy. 101, Florence, Oregon
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Established in 1956
See all Florence’s listings at
“We’re next to the bridge”
Waterfront • Acreage Golf Course New Construction Old Town • Commercial
cbcoast.com
100 Hwy. 101, Florence
JULY 25, 2018 ❖ CITY
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FLORENCE 125TH ANNIVERSARY ❖ 35
1957
1958 JALOPY RACES BEST YET
FRIDAY, AUG. 15, 1957
A smooth track, enthusiastic spectators and two new cars combined to make the jalopy and stock car racees the best yet, Sunday at the Florence Jaycee track in Glenada. Arlen Gillispie, who is looking for a sponsor of his car No. 15, swept the field to take the A trophy, while Mike Milam driving car 58 for Johnston Motor Co., took the B trophy.
TUNNEL HOLES THRU MARCH 23
FRIDAY, MARCH 29, 1957 The tunnel, when usable in a couple of Saturday at 6:14 p.m. the blast that allowed the break through of the tunnel on months, will have catch basins and good Route F (now Hwy. 126) was witnessed drainage within to offset wet wather. It will be entirely shored with fitted timby a number of persons. A state officer prevented them from bers, that can at a later date serve as GETTING near enough to be in danger, forms when the tunnell is concreted. Millions of feet of timber are made tho they could still hear the blast and see the dust roll out and the rocks fall. This available to logging by the opening of opening blast was a series of shots that the tunnel. The value of property increase is inestimatable. was thrilling to all concerned. The first blast to start the tunnel was shot July 25, 1956, according to “Dutch” WESTERN LANE FAIR Buchecker, head of the blasting, mulchOPENS HERE TODAY FRIDAY, AUGUST 25, 1957 ing and timbering crew. Doors of Siuslaw Grade School gym It will take a few days more blasting to clear the tunnel mouth. James Putnum, will swing wide at 4 p.m., today to admit engineer, stated there are 3,200 feet of visitors to Western Lane County Fair vertical curve to carry the road thru the and Harvest Festival during the after1,430 feet of tunnel with a six and one- noon, evening and all day Saturday. Displays vary from outstanding half percent up grade and a six percent down grade. W. K. McGlothlin, superin- grange exhibits to hobbies and are entendent for Gibbons and Reed, contrac- tered by oldsters and youngsters alike. tors, considers it a job well done but a difficult job to build.
Old Fashioned Car Hop Service 1690 Hwy. 101, Florence 541-997-8124 The original A&W Drive-in opened in 1961
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FLORENCE 125TH ANNIVERSARY ❖ JULY 25, 2018
NEW MOORAGE IS VISIONED ON BAY
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 1958 An alternate public moorage close to downtown Florence is the ultimate goal of businessmen, the city council and fishermen at the Laurel Street (formerly Washington) dock area at the waterfront adjacent to Hotel Florence where 33 truckloads of rock were delivered Thursday and Friday to protect the 40-foot wide bulkhead and prevent further undermining from washout. Once the most popular dock in Florence where the old ferry slip handled traffic before the building of the coast bridge, lack of funds in the city’s park and docks budget had permitted the facilities to deteriorate until closure was necessary as a safety measure. It is now hoped that the Lane County commissioners and Lane County Recreation Commission will cooperate with revitalizing the dock to give additional moorage and a safe place for those fishermen who like to fish for perch off the dock. In all 33 loads of rock were hauled with George Chicka Co., donating rock and loading. Hauling by Consolidated Freightways was dropped from the customary $18 load to $14.54 a load with the fighters contributing two free loads.
NORTHERN LIGHTS VIEWED HERE
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 1958 Appearing during the supper hour Monday evening low in the northern sky was the rare spectacle, the aurora borealis. It appeared in the Florence vicinity as a broad, red band stretching from northwest to northeast horizons. Observers in the Heceta Head area report the showing very beautiful to see. Later in the evening television news commented upon this electro-magnetic phenonema of the upper atmosphere in the cold north regions.
CCC bathhouse at Honeyman State Park — Cleawox Lake
BATHHOUSE OPENED FOR SUMMER FRIDAY, APRIL 23, 1958
The bathhouse at Cleawox Lake of the Jessie M. Honeyman State Park will be opened on May 24 for the season. The Cleawox overnight camp officially opened Friday evening with accommodations for 133 camper groups and more than 60 additional camp sites soon to be ready for the summer season.
1959
1960
ELEVATOR SHAFT WORK PROGRESS FRIDAY, APRIL 3, 1959
Work is progressing on the elevator shaft at the Sea Lion Caves being drilled by Channer Drilling & Blasting, Portland. The 220 foot shaft is up about 140 feet from the bottom which is connected to a 60 foot tunnel that emerges from the east wall directly opposite the mummified sea lion in the caves. The shaft goes straight up, and must not have a crook or turn. It is 8x15 feet in dimensions. Work was started last year and after 60 days stopped during the peak of the tourist season due to danger from Completion of this phase of the falling rock. It is expected to be com- work a contract will be let for building pleted within the next three weeks if the elevator which should be ready for all goes according to schedule. installation in 1960.
FLORENCE TO GET DIAL PHONES
FRIDAY, APRIL 15, 1960 A $411,000 program to bring dial service to Florence was announced this week by Pacific Telephone Northwest Manager C.W. Hawkins. According to the company’s tentative schedule, Florence residents will be spinning dials about the middle of 1961. First step in the program, Hawkins explained, will be the construction of a new central office building on the northwest corner of 7th and Maple streets. “Our engineers expect to call for bids on the building this month, and to start work sometime in May,” Hawkins added. The dial building is scheduled to be complete in November 1960. Western Electric installation forces will start work on the dial switching gear sometime in December 1960
SITE LEVELED FOR TRANSLATOR
hill and leveled a site for installation of translators. The property owned by C. J. Worthylake, who has given a lease to West FRIDAY, JUNE 19, 1959 Lane Translators, Inc., is located 2.6 Saturday, Hanson Bros. Logging Co., miles southeast of the Florence bridge as their contribution toward bringing and is beyond the Jaycee racetrack better television to the Florence area, overlooking the entire valley. dozed a road to the top of Glenada
DRIVE-IN SHOW TO RE-OPEN SOON
FRIDAY, MARCH 4, 1960 Reopening of Rhododendron Drivein theatre is announced for next weekend with shows scheduled during March on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. R. G. Thompson manager, notes improvements since coming to Florence in March 1956. To accommodate CinemaScope the screen has been widened 24 feet. Harbor Theatre has been re-decorated and modernized. In the four years motion picture producers have featured heavy drama, science fiction and multi-million dollar spectacular shows. The management of Florence theatres brings to the community the latest and best films available.
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JULY 25, 2018 ❖ CITY
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FLORENCE 125TH ANNIVERSARY ❖ 37
1961
1962
NO LIGHT BRINGS HELP
FLORENCE, OR, THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 1961 Landslide at Devil’s Elbow in 1961 A light that failed and a light that flashed in a car which had plunged into a gaping hole in the highway figured strongly in the story of Sunday morning’s loss of about 200 feet of Highway 101 at the Devil’s Elbow curve, 12 miles north of here. L.J. Benoit, Highway Department maintenance worker, was at work with other maintenance men about 4:30 a.m. Sunday where a slide had come down on the highway at Bray’s Point, a short way north of Devel’s Elbow. As he glanced towards the south, Benoit noticed that the beacon from the Heceta
Head Lighthouse, just beyond Devel’s Elbow was not functioning. Benoit and another worker, driving toward the lighthouse to see what was wrong, found the highway had dropped off at Devil’s Elbow taking away the entire curve. After word of the slide had been sent to state police, Benoit returned to the scene to learn that a car with a woman in it about 25 feet below the highway level. The woman, he said, had attracted his attention by turning on the dome light of her car after his flashlight had failed to reveal the presence of the car.
DURNO NIXES NATIONAL PARK THURSDAY, MARCH 2, 1961 According to Washington, D.C. reports, Congressman Edwin R. Durno, R-Ore., doesn’t believe the Oregon Coast between Florence and Ten-Mile Creek qualifies as a national park. Durno flatly stated he will go all out in opposing the proposed national seashore recreation area as, “I do not think it possesses the scientific or historical
or scenic grandeur that we should have in our national park system.” He said that the five-member advisory board of local citizens she suggested “would have only advisory authority. “I am for recreation,” Durno said, “but this bill is basically unsound, and the Oregon Dunes area is basically not of sufficient scenic grandeur to be made a part of the national park system.”
SOUTH JETTY WORK TO BEGIN
THURSDAY, JANUARY 4, 1962 Colonel Sterling K. Eisiminger, Port- navigation channel 12 feet deep across land U.S. Army District Engineer, has the bar, secured by two rubble-mound announced the award of an $896,500 jetties and a channel in the river 12 feet contract to Natt McDougall Compa- deep, 200 feet wide to Florence, about ny, 824 Pittock Block, Portland for five miles, thence 150 feet wide to the rehabilitation of the South Jetty at the town of Cushman, about 2.5 miles. The jetties were completed in 1917 mouth of the Siuslaw River. Colonel Eisiminger said the work and the channel in 1929. The north jetmust be completed in 320 calendar ty was rehabilitated in 1957. Planning for rehabilitation of the south jetty was days. The existing project provides for a started in 1960.
VESSEL SWAMPS ON SOUTH SPIT THURSDAY, AUGUST 30, 1962
Robert Amack, 24, and Clifford E. Boyum, 20, both of Florence, clung to the bow of the salmon troller “Sidney” after it was swamped by breakers on the Siuslaw bar last Wednesday after noon until they were taken aboard the “Otter,” operated by Walter Fossek. The “Sidney” was returning to Florence at about 5 p.m. on August 29
after a day of salmon trolling when a strong north-west wind drove the 20 foot vessel too far south to the south spit, The vessel rode the first breaker, said Amack, but two more broke over the stern, filling it with water. The bow of the boat, with the men clinging to it was buoyed by two empty 60 gallon fuel tanks.
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FLORENCE 125TH ANNIVERSARY ❖ JULY 25, 2018
1963
1964
DUNES CITY HEARING JAMS COURTROOM
Some people seem to think that the Florence area is akin to Florida in that water skiing is a yeararound sport. Kathy Sprouffske and Judy Holman seemed to have that in mind last Saturday as they skimmed around Mercer Lake in 60 degree weather and in the rain yet! Although they didn’t fall off the boards, they ended up just as wet.
THURSDAY, APRIL 18,1963
An estimated 150 people jammed the Western Lane County Courthouse on Monday when those who opposed the inclusion of their property within the city limits of the proposed city of Dunes were given the opportunity to voice their views. The crowd overflowed into the lobby and hallway of the county building and all available chairs were pressed into service, still leaving many standing. Ten property owners who are residents or who own property inside the boundaries of the proposed city asked to be excluded. The hearing was conducted by Frank Elliott, chairman of the Lane County Commissioners. Commissioners Kenneth Neilsen and Jess Hill, John Luvaas, attorney for the proposed city;
Donald Husband, representing some property owners, and many residents and property owners of the proposed new city were also present. The proceedings were delayed for about 45 minutes while the crowd waited for the arrival of the commissioners who were held up on Highway 36 while a wrecker pulled a car out of the river west of Tiernan. It was pointed out at the meeting that those who are not registered voters of the area included within the boundaries of the new city will not be eligible to vote, even though they own property within the city boundaries. Those whose property is not located within the final boundaries of the proposed city will not be eligible to vote on the formation of a city.
SILTCOOS LAKE BASS Mrs. Roy McCurdy holds up a string of bass which she and husband roy took out of Siltcoos last Monday. The bass were taken with a black eel pork rind. They took 8 bass wieghing up to 6 pounds and measuring 16 to 20 inches long.
25-YEAR BUSINESS CLOSES DOORS
THURSDAY, MAY 28, 1964 her mother Rosa, in 1948, a brother Walter E. Kallunki and family moved to Florence and Walter was active in the business until 1951 when he went to work for the Postal Dept. In 1958 Miss Elizabeth Wood, daughter of Austin and Mary Wood entered into the ceramic business. In January of 1964 she moved her students and studio into the old section of the store. Last week Saturday was the last day that Davy Jones Locker was open, quietly closing its doors at 6:30 p.m. Many customers that have traded here for 15 years and more were very reluctant to believe that Davy Jones Locker was closing. Miss Kallunki, and Mr. and Mrs. Wood’s plans for the immediate future are to help Elizabeth Wood in her ceramic studio.
This year marked 25 years since the opening of Davy Jones Locker on Highway 101. Saturday, May 23 marked the closing of the business. In April, 1939 Mrs. Rosa Kallunki, with her husband Walter Kallunki, opened a small grocery store, restaurant and crab stand in Florence. Overnight cabin rentals were added and the business was open until in 1942 when Walter Kallunki passed away. Mrs. Kallunki returned to Reedsport, leasing the cabins to Mr. and Mrs. Vern Lamb until her return in 1945 to reopen Davy Jones Locker. Miss Eleanore Kallunki, employed at that time for “Bob Schrader” in the men’s clothing business in Reedsport, quit her job and came to Florence to enter into partnership with
Serving the Residents of Dunes City since 1963 Where The Dunes Meet Woahink & Siltcoos Lakes “A nice place to live!”
JULY 25, 2018 ❖ CITY
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FLORENCE 125TH ANNIVERSARY ❖ 39
1965 FLORENCE OIL POTENTIAL HIGH
1966
S. JETTY ROAD CONTRACT LET
THURSDAY, JANUARY 14, 1965
THURSDAY, JANUARY 14, 1965
Shell Oil Company and a joint venture by Standard and Union Oil, are among those companies planning exploratory oil drilling operations off Heceta Head, according to Supervisor Marshall T. Huntting of the State Conservation Department in a recent news release. Huntting state that the drilling will all be on the offshore land leased from the Federal Government last October.
A Vancouver firm was awarded the contract for construction of a 5.1 mile long road to the south jetty of the Siuslaw River. The firm S.D. Spencer and Sons entered the apparent low bid of $199,749.33 for the job of construction of the road that will connect on to the mile long Lane Country road at the top of the Glenada Hill. The construction of the road will be finished by about June 1st according to a spokesman for the Bureau of Public Roads. The road will run parallel to the ocean for about four miles and will be 24 ft. wide with parking spaces allowed. The press that prints the Siuslaw News and six others each week is a rotary web offset or perfecting press capable of printing on both sides of the paper in one operation. It can also print one color on two sides, and is fed from a roll of paper which cuts off the sheets after printing. It uses rolls of paper averaging 40 inches in diameter and 33 inches wide, with each roll weighing about 1,025 pounds.
CITY LIBRARY TO MOVE THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 1966 Florence City Library in 1936
The Florence city library has moved four times since it first opened its doors to Siuslaw area readers 50 years ago, with the present building being donated by the Oregon State Highway Commission in 1936. The library was first located in the Commercial Clubrooms on Bay Street May 7, 1915. Between 1930 and 1936, it moved from the Commercial Clubrooms to rooms in the old bank building, the Masonic Hall, and the old grade school, now Callison’s all on Maple Street. When the grade school burned, rooms in the city hall on Bay were do-
nated for library use, and the citizens of Florence re-stocked the library shelves with books. Two small construction buildings, located in Glenada, were donated to the library by the Highway commission in 1936, after it had completed the Siuslaw Bridge. Funds were later appropriated by the council for remodeling the two buildings into one permanent unit in October 1936, and the renovated building became the “Anne Dudley Memorial Library” after the late Mrs. Dudley who had served as librarian for many years.
CITY WATER SYSTEM CONSTRUCTION STARTS
THURSDAY, MARCH 17, 1966 Construction got underway on FlorHeavy equipment began digging a ence’s new $94,832 water system, with ditch approximately three-quarters of a the delivery of some 7,000 feet of 10- mile in length from the 107-foot deep inch pipe to the well site, according to well to the reservoir site. City Administrator Cliff Sanders. The Workmen also began pouring conwell is situated in the center of 80 acres crete for the reservoir foundation on of land east of Highway 101 in line with Friday. 25th Street.
Serving the Florence Community Since 2003 Gary Dietz, Owner Ph: (541) 997-1011 • Cell: (541) 999-0979 Fax: (541) 997-1011 P.O. Box 651 • 1779 27th Street & Hwy. 101 Florence, OR 97439 40
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FLORENCE 125TH ANNIVERSARY ❖ JULY 25, 2018
1967 INFORMATION CENTER NOW OPEN
TENTATIVE BANK OPENING SET
The new Florence Tourist Information Center is now completed, except for landscaping around its doors, and is adequately staffed for the coming summer months ahead, according to the C of C President Robert Read. The Information Center, which opened last weekend, is sponsored by the Florence Chamber. The new center is open seven days a week, and is manned this year by Kris Larsen, 19, for five days a week, and Janese Saunders, 16, for two days.
THURSDAY, JULY 3, 1968 The new headquarters for Siuslaw Valley Bank will be opening about September 18, according to president Johan Mehlum. The new building is now under construction at Eighth and Oregon Coast Highway in Florence. Mehlum indicated the bank will employ about five persons from this area, and will maintain its staff of five at Mapleton. Dedication of the new building is being scheduled for later this month.
THURSDAY, JUNE 15, 1967
CITY HALL TO OPEN MONDAY
THURSDAY, MARCH 23, 1967 A planning commission meeting will be the first meeting to be held in the new council chamber on Monday evening, March 27, according to Cliff Sanders, city administrator. However, Florence’s new city hall will open its doors for conducting city business at 8 a.m. on Monday morning.
1968
MCCAIN WINS AWARD OF MERIT THURSDAY, JULY 18 , 1968 Siuslaw High School girls physical eduction teacher and girls track coach, Mrs. Liz McCain was presented the national magazine, Sports Illustrated, Award of Merit, by Wayne Morleland, radio station KRAF. The award and silver bowl recognized Mrs. McCain’s outstanding achievement in coaching the Siuslaw girls track team through five undefeated seasons. Mrs. McCain was the subject of a story in the July issue of Sports Illustrated for this accomplishment. Following the presentation, Mrs. McCain was told that money to send Siuslaw girls track stars Sherry Wells and Mary Jacobson to the A.A.U. competition in Aurora,
WATER’S ON
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 31, 1968 The water was turned on for the first Heceta Water District customers Friday, Dec. 20, at 2 p.m. There are 135-140 customers in the district signed up at this time who should be receiving service by Feb. 1, according to board members. It was pointed out that a $10 refundable water deposit has to be made by each customer before the water can be turned on at their residence.
COAST GUARD BOAT DAMAGED IN BAR CROSSING
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, 1968 U.S. Coast Guard officials have not yet determined whether to repair the 36-foot motor lifeboat from Siuslaw River Light Boat Station damaged on the end of the north jetty of Siuslaw Harbor August 25. Initial reports indicate it will take about $800 to put the boat back into the shape it was in before hitting the jetty and the Coast Guard has not indicated whether it will spend the money on the 1949 craft or if it will be junked. The boat was damaged upon re-entry of the harbor about 1:30 a.m. when a 25-foot breaker caught her broadside on the starboard side and carried her on her side into the rocks pushing the propeller up through the hull.
Sunday Bible Study 9:00am – Sunday Worship 9:00am and 10:45am Wednesday 7pm - Midweek Family Connection
Corner of 10th & Maple, Florence • 541-997-3533 www.florencecrossroad.org • email: office@florencecrossroadag.org JULY 25, 2018 ❖ CITY
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FLORENCE 125TH ANNIVERSARY ❖ 41
1969 PLAN NEW STOP LIGHT THURSDAY, JULY 10, 1969
Initial steps were taken at the regular Florence City Council meeting last Monday night to improve the intersection of Highway 101 and Highway 36 at Florence, to include installation of a stop light. The council voted to proceed with instituting an improvement district and to begin preliminary engineering to install curbs and gutters and drainage along the highway right-of-way from about 8th Street to 12th Street. A cost estimate by the State Highway Department indicates the project will run about $54,000, less the stop light, according to Cliff Sanders, city manager.
MOTEL OPEN HOUSE
THURSDAY, JULY 24, 1969 Florence’s newest motel, the LeChateau Motel, will hold open house this Sunday, July 27, from 1 to 4 p.m., according to information from Silver Surf Investments, owners. The new one-half million dollar complex is located on Highway 101 between 10th and 11th Streets in Florence. It was completed less than four months after construction started last April with Coast Real Estate serving as general contractor. The rooms feature color television, AM/FM radio and the latest in direct dial telephones according to spokesman Ted Simeneau.
1970
NEWS PUBLISHER BUYS N.B. PAPER
THURSDAY, MARCH 27, 1969 Donald Reed, co-owner and publisher of the North Bend Sun and News, North Bend, Oregon announced today, the sale of that paper to Marge and Dave Holman, owners and co-publishers of the Siuslaw News, Florence. The new owners will take over operation of the Sun and News on April 1, 1969. The Holmans came to Florence in June of 1958, as owners of the Florence News Advertiser.
PORTAGE BRIDGE STORM VICTIM
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 1969 Only one covered bridge remains on the North Fork of the Siuslaw. Until last week there were two of the old landmarks, but the Portage bridge about six miles up the river fell victim to the heavy snowfall and the covering had to be removed for traffic safety. The first bridge built on the site was constructed in 1918 and it went down in August, 1922, according to residents’ memory, when a tractor and grader were crossing it. Traffic was able to use a temporary floating bridge at the site, but vehicles going up the river had to detour around that section of the valley. The covered bridge was built in 1930.
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 1970: Remains of this Pacific gray whale were scheduled to be blown up by the State Highway Department Wednesday, according to a department spokesman. The whale, estimated to be 48 feet long and weigh over eight tons washed onto the beach near the South Jetty.
STATE PAYS WHALE DEBT
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 1970 The State of Oregon has cleared itself in the case of the flying whale. Monday Walter Umenhofer of Springfield received a check from the insurance carrier for the State Highway Division in full payment for the loss of his 1969 Oldsmobile near Florence recently. Umenhofer’s car was the lone casualty Nov. 12 when the highway division blew up an eight-ton whale that had washed ashore south of florence.
PIER POINT INN NEARS COMPLETION THURSDAY, JUNE 11, 1970 Pier Point Inn, Oregon’s newest resort restaurant and motel located midway on the coast at Florence, is being readied for opening in July according to its developers. The initial phase of Pier Point Inn represents an investment of more than $800,000 and is only one of several major projects planned by the partners.
COAST INSURANCE SERVICES INC.
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FLORENCE 125TH ANNIVERSARY ❖ JULY 25, 2018
Congratulations City of Florence on your 125th Anniversary!
541-997-3455
777 Maple Street, Across from the Post Office in Florence
1971
1972
DRAFT NOTICE SERVED ON LOCAL DENTIST
for my notice to be inducted as a commissioned officer, which will nullify my original induction notice, or I can just face the fact that I have two years of service ahead–and just THURSDAY, MARCH 25, 1971 A young Florence dentist–one of go.” three in the city–is apparently going to have to give up his business. WHITTAKER’S DRAFT That is the situation Dr. Jack WhitNOTICE VOIDED taker, 25, faces. Last week, Dr. WhitTHURSDAY, APRIL 15, 1971 taker received a notice of induction Dr. Jack Whittaker has won a reinto the armed services. prieve from the draft, and Florence Whittaker, a June 1970 graduate has retained one of its three dentists. of the University of Oregon Dental Dr. Whittaker, along with 10 othSchool, bought out the dental pracer Oregon dentists, has recently been tice of Dr. Vern Weber last July. Along notified that his draft notice which with his wife, Sandra, and two daughters, Rebecca Sue, age two, and Me- he received in March has been canlinda Sue, age six months, the Whit- celled by the Selective Service Department. takers began to settle in Florence. Or so it seemed. Two weeks ago, Whittaker received CREATION OF OREGON a notice from the Eugene Draft Board DUNES URGED to report for a physical examination. THURSDAY, JUNE 10, 1971 The following week, he received his Fourth District Congressman John induction papers. Dellenback and Senators Mark Hat“It came as a real shock,” Whittakfield and Bob Packwood have iner said. “It didn’t help much when it troduced legislation to extablish the was explained that as of last April, all Oregon Dunes National Recreation occupational deferments had been revoked.” Whittaker was the only Area. The area lies along the southern dentist or physician in Lane County Oregon coast between Florence and to be called on the latest draft call, North Bend. he said. “I don’t object to serving my Under their proposal, the recrecountry,” he commented. “It’s just ation area would be administered that I have bought this practice and, by the Forest Service in cooperation just like that, I will have to probably with state and local governments. An give it up.” inland buffer zone will assist in pro“I have a choice about the entire tection of the area. matter,” Whittaker said. “I can wait
DUNES DEDICATION DRAWS 600 PEOPLE THURSDAY, JULY 20, 1972
The Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area, newest and most unique public area in the United States, was dedicated last Saturday with the keynote on conservation, planning and wise utilization of resources. Congressman John Dellenback, author of the Dunes Bill, was in the forefront all day, from the breakfast in Flor-
ence, attended by 122, to the dedication ceremonies at the Eel Creek Campground and the final luncheon hosted by Douglas County and Reedsport groups in the afternoon. He set the key for the day at Florence breakfast when he said that it was appropriate the ceremonies begin here, “because it was here that it all started in 1966.”
WOMEN AT WORK
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Soroptimist International of Florence has been active in this community since 1972. Interested in joining our organization? Call club president, Nancy Bosket at 541902-7250. We will be meeting on Wednesday’s at Chen’s starting on September 16th. JULY 25, 2018 ❖ CITY
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FLORENCE 125TH ANNIVERSARY ❖ 43
1973
1974 Eileen Huntington, secretary of the Siuslaw Pioneer Museum Association, shows the founders’ plaque which will be prominently displayed in the museum. The plaque is fashioned of rhododendron wood, Mrs. Huntington said, and was made by Ricky Derrickson of Florence.
REPLACING ROCK DOCK MAY BE TOUGH CHORE THURSDAY, APRIL 25, 1973
One of the most popular recreational facilities on the Siuslaw River, the rock dock, has fallen by the wayside, victim of old age, and finding a replacement appears to be a tough chore. Signs warning of the dangerous condition of the pier, constructed during rehabilitation of the jetties by the contractor to handle transfer of rock, have been posted by the Port of Siuslaw but so far have had little effect on the traffic. Port Manager Paul Coyne, who inspected the piling with Trygve Nordahl last Friday, said the supports are severely damaged by marine insects and the dock is extremely
unsafe. He said arrangements will be made as soon as possible to have the structure removed. Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area Director Dick Marlega has given approval of plans to burn the dock on the approach fill, Coyne said, when wind and weather conditions permit. Coyne said bids will be called and the work begun in the near future. Any pier built on the rock dock site would be land-based use, not as moorage for boats. In the past port commissioners and the U.S. Coast Guard have opposed mooring facilities there, pointing to the facilities available at Siuslaw Pacific Moorage upriver.
‘CHIEF CHOWDERHEAD’ RETIRES FROM POST AFTER 25 HECTIC, BUSY YEARS THURSDAY, APRIL 19, 1973
When the sun rises on the final day of the 66th Annual Rhododendron Festival Sunday, May 20, there will be a new “Chief Chowderhead” overseeing preparation and distribution of clam chowder to the thousands of visitors.
MUSEUM TO OPEN
THE SIUSLAW NEWS, THURSDAY, JUNE 6, 1974 The Siuslaw Pioneer Museum will open to the public on Saturday, June 15, capping several years of hard work by many people, museum association secretary Eileen Huntington reports.
The initial exhibition will focus on the history of this area with maps and fossils from the area, artifacts from the Indians, clothing, tools, furniture and other items brought here by early settlers or built here by the settlers.
Siuslaw Pioneer Museum as it stands today on Maple St. in Florence.
And the chowder itself will be a bit different from some that has been served in past years by Glen Oare, chairman of the event since 1947 who is stepping down this year in favor of Les Moll.
Owners Kevin, Sheryl and Aaron Van De Hey, have been carrying on the family tradition of quality workmanship. The company has served the Florence community since 1974 and look forward to many more years of providing roofing and roof repair with their commitment to excellent customer service.
CCB# 90515 44
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FLORENCE 125TH ANNIVERSARY ❖ JULY 25, 2018
541-997-7869
1975
1976
OFF TO ALASKA
Some 350 brave souls turned out for the Siuslaw Skills Center’s dedication ceremony in spite of threatening skies last Sunday. The 10,000 square foot facility was completed recently at a cost of $400,000. Florence Mayor Don Bowman, LCC president Dr. Eldon Schafer and Dr. Albert Brauer, LCC Board member, were on hand for the ceremonies as well as many college personnel.
THE SIUSLAW NEWS, THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 1975 The first shipment of lumber and supplies from this area to be shipped to Alaska for pipeline construction crews was being readied this week at Davidson Industries dock upriver. The Sause Bros. barge was loaded with 3 million board feet of lumber, a 25-ton landing craft and 10 14’x70’
mobile homes from a Salem manufacturer. “We think this is the first shipment of any kind from Oregon to the pipeline project, in spite of what Gov. Straub indicated,” said Don Davidson of the effort. The barge will be on its way to Anchorage as soon as conditions permit.
US PLYWOOD TRIMS 75 EMPLOYEES THE SIUSLAW NEWS, THURSDAY, AUGTUST 28, 1975
Curtailment of a portion of the Mapleton U.S. Plywood operation and the indefinite layoff of 75 workers has been scheduled for tomorrow, Friday, Aug. 29. According to Clem Pope, superin-
tendent of the Mapleton operation, the plant will shut down indefinitely its plywood manufacturing capabilities but will continue to provide veneer for the U.S. Plywood division plants as well as the open veneer market.
LANE COMMUNITY COLLEGE SKILLS CENTER DEDICATED
THE SIUSLAW NEWS, THURSDAY, APRIL 1, 1976 The Siuslaw Area Skills Center, Lane Community College’s first off campus, college-owned facility, was dedicated this past Sunday, March 28, with some 300-400 area residents on hand for the outdoor ceremony and open house which followed. The $400,000 structure, covering 10,000 square feet, was built this past summer and fall, the culmination of over ten years of planning.
Hubbard’s Retreat Adult Foster Care
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For more information call 541-997-8964 Located at 5253 Heceta Beach Road, Florence JULY 25, 2018 ❖ CITY
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FLORENCE 125TH ANNIVERSARY ❖ 45
1977
1978
MAJOR BUILDING BOOM SEEN FOR FLORENCE AREA
MULTI-MILLION DOLLAR CONSTRUCTION AHEAD THURSDAY, MARCH 18, 1978
THE OLD PILING WILL STAY: The piling behind Bay Street businesses was granted a reprieve on Friday when the Old Town Association voted not to remove the river monuments which defy time and the elements. The meeting was attended by City Manager Jack Isadore, who states that the people have to decide whether or not the piling should be removed.
WORTHY VESSEL OF THE SIUSLAW THURSDAY, JULY 14, 1977
The Otter, owned by Walt Fossick of Canary, unfurls a sail against a misty background over the Siuslaw River. The vessel was designed by Matt Walsh, a famous yacht designer, and was built in San Diego in 1913. Skipper Fossick says that the Otter participated in several races in southern California and cruised over the South Seas during its early days. There’s also the romantic story about the 50-foot boat having been owned by novelists Zane Grey, but Fossick doubts it thinking there is no basis for the fact. In 1952 the Otter was damaged in a storm during a trip to Alaska and was taken to Coos Bay for repairs. That’s when Fossick
Nova!!
purchased the boat and put in a larger engine. Fossick, a commercial fisherman since 1948, has used the boat for salmon fishing and crabbing off Winchester Bay and Florence.
MO’S IN FLORENCE
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 1977 The name Duncan and Co. Tavern will soon be covered with “Mo’s Seafood Restaurant” as representatives of Mo’s and the Port of Siuslaw agreed on terms of lease at a meeting November 2. The restaurant will be open for business around mid-February.
From all indications the Florence area will undergo the biggest commercial building boom in its entire history. An estimated 11 million dollars worth of construction on 13 separate projects are scheduled for this area. In addition, a $13.5 million Siuslaw Jetty extension project could begin at the end of the next year if all goes well in
Congress. With the biggest tourist year ever ahead of us, the demand for second homes and retirement homes is up, and an uncertain future due to land use planning, many developers have decided that now is the time to do their thing before construction costs go any higher.
FLORENCE GETS DMV OFFICE
CONDO PROJECT TO GET UNDERWAY
State Senator Dell Isham (D-Lincoln City) announced last Thursday that a full-time Department of Motor Vehicles field office has been approved for Florence. Isham said the emergency board of the state legislature voted 9-2 last Thursday to increase the expenditure limitation of the Oregon Transportation Commission. The board approved $571,760 to add 35 positions and several new offices, including the Florence office to the DMV.
Construction will soon begin on Bay Bridge Condominiums, an eight-building, 66-unit development of recreational residences on the Siuslaw River waterfront in Florence. The first building of the development should be completed this fall. The condominium development will feature one and two bedroom units with both both single and split level configurations. Views of the waterfront area and the Oregon Dunes National Park will be visible from the condominiums.
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 19, 1978
Bringing People and Pets Together Adoptions • Fostering A NO-KILL SHELTER
Help prevent overpopulations – Have your pet spayed/neutered (ask about our financial assistance program) Voted Best place to Volunteer 2017 Siuslaw News! 541-997-4277 • www.oregoncoasthumanesociety.org
facebook.com/OregonCoastHumaneSociety 46
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FLORENCE 125TH ANNIVERSARY ❖ JULY 25, 2018
THURSDAY, JULY 13, 1978
Frodo!!
1979
1980
NEW BANK OPENS DOORS
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 20, 1979 A fifth financial institution has been The new locally owned bank opens added to the two banks and two savings with capitalization of $1.64 million and loans serving the Florence area. and 309 stockholders, according to Jim The Oregon Pacific Banking Co. Manderscheid, bank president. opened its doors Monday in a tempoManderscheid said construction on rary building at 1355 Highway 101. An a permanent facility for the bank will open house celebration noted the occa- begin next month with a target date for sion. completion of June 30.
VOLCANO DELAYS LOCAL DREDGE WORK THURSDAY, MAY 29, 1980
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers dredge Pacific is expected to start work on the Siuslaw River next week despite being called to clear portions of the Columbia River filled with mud by the recent volcanic explosion of Mt. St. Helens. Robert Mike Hay, scheduling officer for the corps’ Portland district
office, told Port of Siuslaw manager Paul Coyne the dredge probably would have started work here this week but was needed on the Columbia River. The Pacific is scheduled to remove deposits 10 to 14 feet deep in the Columbia to allow larger dredges to work in the shipping channel.
Above, Lori Gates, Vice President and Florence Branch Manager in 2018, started her career at OPB in the spring of 1980, only a few short months after the bank was originally established.
WESTERN LANE BOARD ADOPTS PROJECTIONS FOR 40-BED HOSPITAL
WORK CONTINUES...
“It’s important to be a true community bank, serving the community and putting your investment back into the community as well as the stockholders,” founding member Dr. A.J. Brauer said in 2015. “I’m glad to be part of an organization that has that philosophy. I wouldn’t want to be part of one without it.”
Projections that predict a need for a 40-bed hospital by the end of this decade were adopted by Western Lane Hospital board on Sept. 25. The approval projections, drafted by Sacred Heart Hospital planner Ed Mahn and adopted earlier by the planning committee, state that “there will need to be a bed capacity of 40-41 beds by 1990.”
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 2, 1980
THE SIUSLAW NEWS, JANUARY 24, 1980
Work is nearly finished on the rehabilitation of about 75 percent of the main dock structure between Mo’s Restaurant and Eureka Fisheries. Workmen have already finished tearing out the old untreated wood used to construct and repair the original structure and are now beginning to reconstruct the port owned dock with treated wood that will better resist decomposition.
HAPPY 125TH BIRTHDAY, FLORENCE! IT COULDN'T HAVE HAPPENED TO A NICER PLACE. Sincerely, Siuslaw Public Library JULY 25, 2018 ❖ CITY
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FLORENCE 125TH ANNIVERSARY ❖ 47
1981
1982
HURRICANE-FORCE WINDS WHIP COAST CITY, COUNTY SEEK DISASTER DESIGNATION THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 1981 Florence-area residents went to bed Friday the 13th to the sound of wind-blown objects going bump in the night and awoke to the sound of chainsaws as the worst windstorm since Columbus Day 1962 devastated the Oregon Coast. Preliminary estimates of the property damage in the state of Washington and Oregon, which bore the brunt of the hurricane-force winds, range as high as $18 million and could go higher as more complete assessments are done this week. The City of Florence, the Lane County commissioners and the office of Gov. Vic Atiyeh are all in the process of examining the damage to determine whether to request that President Reagan declare the region a disaster area. The storm struck, largely without warning, on Friday evening, and wind speeds accelerated steadily throughout the night. The wind gauge at the Siuslaw River Light Boat Station went out around 2 p.m., but before it was blown away it registered steady winds of 71-83 miles per hour, with gusts up to 100 miles per hour. Most rural roads through forested areas were closed through the day Saturday,
but by daybreak city crews cleared paths on Rhododendron Drive, 35th Street, and other major arterials. Heceta Beach Road remained closed through Saturday due to downed trees. Hundreds of trees were uprooted or broken down in the storm, and much of the damage was attributable to falling trunks and limbs. But some damage was caused directly by the wind, including numerous broken windows, downed signs and damaged roofs. Greentrees, the retirement mobile home community on Rhododendron Drive, was one of the hardest hit areas. Virtually every lot in the development lost at least one tree, and most of those trees found their way onto homes, car or boats. Residential damage was also heavy in the 35th Street area and in Siuslaw Village. Glass repair orders were reported to be about five times the normal reported after a typical winter storm.
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With this issue of The Siuslaw News, be rolled back to 1932 levels 25 cents for readers will find a special section salut- adults, 10 cents for kids and popcorn ing Sea Lion Caves on its 50th anniver- and Pepsi will be sold for a nickel. sary. THURSDAY, MARCH 25, 1982 The section includes historical inforThe Siuslaw Rural Fire Dept. took mation and photographs as well as a delivery of its new fire truck last description of the events to take place week. The truck is capable of pumpduring the 50th anniversary. ing over 1,200 gallons of water Thursday was the unveiling by Oreper minute and is equipped with a gon Gov. Victor Atiyeh of a bronze stat1,000 gallon tank. The price tag for ue of a sea lion family. the vehicle was $92,000. Saturday is “Florence Day” at Sea Lion Caves. The price of admission will
CCB #96660
Certified-Bonded 48
THE SIUSLAW NEWS, THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 2, 1982
CARPET CLEANING
Major credit cards accepted
997-3825
Sea Lion Caves Celebrates 50th
FLORENCE 125TH ANNIVERSARY ❖ JULY 25, 2018
Upholstery
STEAM OR DRY Smoke • Water Cleanup
1983
1984
PORT OF SIUSLAW TO REBUILD WATERFRONT — IN WAKE OF CHRISTMAS FIRE —
JETTY GROUNDBREAKING PLANNED
THE SIUSLAW NEWS, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 29, 1983
With the wreckage still smoldering and the future uncertain, Port of Siuslaw officials have already said they will rebuild the Florence waterfront that was destroyed by fire early Christmas morning. The Port of Siuslaw commission will hold a meeting tonight at 8 p.m. at the port offices on Bay Street, right across the road from the blackened docks and buildings, to make plans for the construction effort, said Port Commissioner Wilbur Ternyik the day after the fire. Fed by 40-mile-an-hour winds and the creosote-soaked planks that formed the deck, the fire quickly engulfed the Eureka Fisheries plant where it started and raced underneath the dock to Mo’s Restaurant. Eureka’s fish-buying plant collapsed into the river when the dock underneath burned away and the rest of the dock and the restaurant were reduced to charred rubble by the flames. Fire-fighting efforts were severely hampered by the inches-thick coat of ice left by one of the coldest and most damaging winter storms to strike the central coast in recent times. Some firefighters literally had
to pull themselves along hoses or railings to get close to the blaze. “There is no doubt we will rebuild the dock,” Ternyik said after the fire. “I have also talked to everyone on the port commission and with the people from Mo’s and there is every indication that we are going to rebuild Mo’s as soon as possible.” He said the restaurant could be serving its famous clam chowder in Florence again in three to four months but was uncertain if Eureka would rebuild. Damages from the blaze are expected to reach $500,000 and could go as high as $700,000. Ternyik said the port’s insurance on the dock and structures should cover 90 percent of the loss, excluding the contents of the buildings. Tom Becker, president of the company that owned the restaurant, said the contents of Mo’s were covered by the company’s insurance.
THE SIUSLAW NEWS, THURSDAY, JUNE 27, 1984
Back in 1909 the residents of the Florence area saw the need for a safe crossing of the Siuslaw River bar. They formed a port district, taxed themselves and began what would become a 75-year struggle to build a pair of jetties that would improve the area’s economy and way of life. Three-quarters of a century later the Port of Siuslaw is celebrating that vision and commitment with a groundbreaking ceremony of the
$25.2 million jetty extension project. The 45-minute ceremony, which will include speeches from Sen. Mark Hatfield, port commissioners, and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers officials, will take place at the north jetty Tuesday beginning at 9 a.m. Hatfield, Oregon’s elder statesman in the U.S. Senate and leading proponent of the extension project, will be the featured speaker.
BREACH MAY TAP SAND SUPPLY
THE SIUSLAW NEWS, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 1984 Like a man dying of starvation in the midst of plenty, the Oregon dunes may be slowly disappearing, cut off from a potentially endless source of new sand by a single hillside. Blocked by a long, low dune anchored firmly by the tenacious roots of European beach grass, the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area has been choked off from its supply of sand as effectively as if a concrete wall had been erected between the beach and the deflation plain. With the sand supply cut off, the beach grass and other sand-tolerant plants have started creeping up on the dunes and could one day cover them completely.
Of the 23,000 acres of Forest Service land inside the ODNRA, 14,000 acres are open sand. But beach grass, scotch broom and lodge pole pine have all established a firm beachhead in the sand and some studies predict that today’s majestic dunes may be no more than rolling, brushy hills in another 100 to 200 years.
PORT OF SIUSLAW FOR RESERVATIONS
541-997-3040
www.portofsiuslaw.com 1st & Harbor • Florence, OR 97439 email:campground@portofsiuslaw.com
JULY 25, 2018 ❖ CITY
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FLORENCE 125TH ANNIVERSARY ❖ 49
1985
1986
BOOK SPOTLIGHTS FLORENCE AS PLACETO LIVE, VISIT
THE SIUSLAW NEWS, THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 1985
Hoping to spark interest in Florence as a place to make a home, a group of prominent local residents is launching a public relations and tourism campaign to attract people to live in Florence. Last spring, Tom Grove, president of Oregon Pacific Banking Company, and H.R. (Russ) Heggen, owner and publisher of Oregon Coast Magazine, put together a group called Friends of Florence in order to piece together a book that would sell Florence as a place to live. “When I first came to Florence, I became aware that it hadn’t been do-
ing anything to sell itself,� Grove said. During the course of a few conversations, Grove and Heggen realized they shared some ideas about restoring some economic vitality to Florence. They both agreed that in order for the city to grow, it would have to diversify its economy namely, to introduce some light industry rather than depending upon one large industry to supply all jobs and capital. To begin this process, they decided, an organized effort would be necessary, one that would attract permanent residents and hopefully bring with it individual business owners.
CHAMPION PLANT WILL NOT REOPEN — SEVEN MILLS CLOSED — THE SIUSLAW NEWS, THURSDAY, JANUARY 30, 1985
Champion International Corp. announced yesterday that its Mapleton veneer plant will be one of seven company operations to be permanently closed because of poor market conditions. The closure will leave the company’s logging crew as well as mill workers and office employees without jobs. Altogether, the seven closures will result in the layoff of 2,000
Champion employees in the Western United States, including 278 in Mapleton. The Mapleton veneer plant has been on temporary closure since last October but the company has continued to employ a logging crew. A company spokesman said the Mapleton logging operation will be phased out over the next several months.
HOSPITAL ISSUES TO BE DISCUSSED THE SIUSLAW NEWS, THURSDAY, APRIL 30, 1986 The first formal public hearing on a proposal to transfer most Western Lane Hospital assets to the Catholic health-care organization in return for that group’s pledge to build and operate a new hospital here will be held tomorrow night (May 1) at the Siuslaw High School auditorium beginning at 7:30 p.m.
Comments on whether the hospital district should pursue an agreement with the Sisters of St. Joseph of Peace Health and Hospital Services, known as HHS, and whether the agreement should be exempt from public bidding laws will be heard during the first part of the public hearing.
CHIROPRACTOR OPENS CLINIC
THE SIUSLAW NEWS, THURSDAY, JULY 30, 1986 An important part of that service, For Dr. Gregory Page, quality health care includes taking the time to listen Page says, involves patient relations, and understand what people have to or taking the time to listen to his pasay. tients and understand their individual Page, who recently opened the Flor- needs. After spending a year as a resident ence Chiropractic Clinic, says his goal is to provide the community with a chiropractic physician at the Pain quality health care service using prov- Clinic, Page decided to advance in his en techniques of professional chiro- professional career and open the Florpractic. ence Chiropractic Clinic.
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1987
1988
OVERLOOK TO HONOR HOLMAN
NEW RADIO STATION PLANS NOV. 1 DEBUT
THE SIUSLAW NEWS, THURSDAY, JANUARY 7, 1987 An Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area site overlooking the Sutton Creek estuary and Pacific Ocean will be named in honor of the late Siuslaw News editor and publisher Dave Holman. The site, currently referred to as Sutton overlook, will be renamed Holman Vista at a dedication ceremony on May 30. The dedication will be attended by Sen. Mark Hatfield and other dignitaries. Holman was editor and publisher of The Siuslaw News from 1958 until 1980 when he and his wife, Marge sold the business to their son, Paul Holman, and his wife, Bev, who own and operate the business today.
THE SIUSLAW NEWS, WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 1988
“Good Morning, Florence” will soon be heard over the local airwaves as a new AM radio station gets ready to hit the switch. KCST-AM, broadcasting 1,000 watts of power at 1250 on your radio dial, is expected to debut on November 1. The station’s program format, however, will in no way resemble the Dave Holman began his newspaper career in 1946 when he and a partner started the Brookings-Harbor Pilot in Brookings. After selling his interest in the business, he went to work at the (Portland) Oregonian. In 1958, he and his wife purchased The Florence News Advertiser and, in 1960, The Siuslaw Oar and combined the two papers into The Siuslaw News.
HIGHWAY BILL PAVES WAY FOR 101 PROJECT
THE SIUSLAW NEWS, THURSDAY, APRIL 8, 1987 Congressional override of President state projects were delayed as a result. The $4.9 million project that would Reagan’s veto of the $88 billion highway bill means only a few months’ de- widen 5.8 miles of Highway 101 from lay in the start-up of the Highway 101 Florence north to Sutton Lake was part widening project north of Florence, of $44 million in Oregon projects that according to Jim Gix, Oregon Depart- were delayed, according to Bob Bothment of Transportation regional engi- man, director of the Oregon department of Transportation. neer. Oregon will receive an estimated Phase I of the project began in Feb$142 million in federal highway funds ruary 1986 when a contractor began this year. The funds had been held in a clearing 5.5 miles of roadside vegetatrust since the previous five-year high- tion and buildings on purchased rightway bill expired last September, and of-way beside Hwy. 101.
PLANNERS GIVE WILD WINDS PROJECT THE GO-AHEAD THE SIUSLAW NEWS, THURSDAY, OCTOBER 1988
The Florence Planning Commission last week approved Elden Nordahl’s preliminary plan for his Wild Winds housing development. The 12-acre subdivision will sit on the banks of the Siuslaw River beside Rhododendron Drive and will contain between 40 and 50 lots. The development will also have a controlled entrance gate, 14 riverfront lots and a marina with moorings for every home. Only one resident at the meeting raised a question about the project. A representative from the nearby Greentrees Village Mobile Home Resort asked if an area sewer line would be big enough for both developments. Ken Lanfear, director of public works, assured that it would.
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format made famous in the popular move “Good Morning, Vietnam.” The local station plans a music format called “Middle of the Road,” an “easy listening” format geared toward a 30to 60-year-old audience. “Even though that is our targeted age audience, our goal is to develop a music format that the entire community can enjoy,” Jon Thompson, KCST general manager, said on Monday. Thompson, owner of Jon’s Sportslocker in Old Town and former Siuslaw News sports editor, is teaming up with Chuck Farmer of Toledo, who will be principal owner of the station.
COMMUNITY EFFORTS PEAK IN HOSPITAL GROUND BREAKING THE SIUSLAW NEWS, THURSDAY, JUNE 15, 1988
Peerless sunny skies prevailed Saturday morning as local citizenry and visiting guests gathered for the long-awaited ground breaking for Florence’s new $5.2 million hospital. “How sweet it is,” quipped new hospital steering committee chairman Tom Grove, quoting the late, great Jackie Gleason. “The weather here today is just another indication of how this project has gone well from the beginning.”
FLORENCE 125TH ANNIVERSARY ❖ 51
1989
1990
COMMUNITY HAILS NEW HOSPITAL
LIBRARY DEDICATION SET FOR SUNDAY
PEACE HARBOR DEDICATION FULFILLS DREAM SIUSLAW NEWS, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 15, 1989
Six years of planning and dreaming of a modern hospital facility in Florence became a reality Saturday as Peace Harbor Hospital was officially dedicated, the culmination of hundreds of donations, volunteer hours and months of preparation. Several hundred spectators gathered as a ribbon stretched before the main entry was cut and the $5.2 million fa-
cility was officially dedicated. The dedication followed more than an hour of public “thanks” to the community leaders, businesses and volunteers who helped to make the project a reality. The 21-bed facility will replace the aging Western Lane Hospital, which was dedicated more than 30 years ago.
POPULATION BOOM: FLORENCE BREAKS 5,000
ALL EVENTS CENTER ON TRACK
SIUSLAW NEWS, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 15, 1989
Plans for a proposed Florence “all events” center moved forward Monday night when Florence Mayor Rob Ward announced the formation of research committees to a gathering of local civic leaders. Ward spoke at the meeting of Florence Futures, a group composed of area government, business and school officials. About 30 people attended the quarterly meeting at Driftwood Shores.
Florence’s population level broke the 5,000 barrier in 1988 and continues to steadily grow as the decade nears an end, according to recently released state population statistics. The official Oregon population estimates set Florence’s July 1, 1988, population at 5,020, an increase of 40 from the previous year. Florence’s population has increased about 14 percent from 1980, when the federal census set the number of residents at 4,441. The city’s population declined slightly from the 1980 level in 1982, but since then has grown by about 650 people. The increase is at a higher rate than the state as a whole, which has grown by 4 percent since 1980.
SIUSLAW NEWS, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 18, 1989
WL AMBULANCE MOVES INTO NEW HEADQUARTERS Western Lane Ambulance paramedics moved last week from their two bedroom trailer to a new 4,400 square-foot brick building near Peace Harbor Hospital. Ambulance supervisor Diana Wagner said the paramedics were badly in need of more living and storage space.
THE SIUSLAW NEWS, WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 1990
The Siuslaw Public Library began an exciting chapter this weekend when the doors to the spacious new facility will open to the public. Library staff members and volunteers this week are busy arranging furniture and filling book stacks in preparation for the grand opening Sunday and a full week of celebration. On Monday, Dec. 3, the library will open for business. Plans for Sunday include a formal dedication with a keynote address by poet Kim Stafford to inaugurate the building. Visitors will be encouraged to take self-guided tours to get acquainted with their new library. Volunteers, posted to strategic places, will answer
questions about the building. “We are particularly excited about some of the new features we are now able to offer our patrons,” said Library Director Michael Gaston. “Special features include a separate reference desk to be staffed all hours that the library is open, a large and inviting children’s area and lots of comfortable seating and good work spaces.”
WORK BEGINS ON OLD TOWN COURTYARD THE SIUSLAW NEWS, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 24, 1990
Florence’s Old Town is putting on a friendlier face as public works crews and sub-contractors this week build brick courtyards at two locations on Bay Street. Work began this week on two pedestrian wayside rest areas at the Old Town restrooms and the Old Town Park. The work consists of laying brick courtyards between the street and the two rest areas, and installing benches and concrete planter boxes. Landscaping will include flowering prune trees, shrubs, flowers and ground cover.
Funds for the project were procured through two state grants. The Old Town Park Plaza will cost a total of $6,000 with $3,000 paid for through an Oregon Department of Parks and Recreation State Grant in Aid. The city was required to match the grant with its own $3,000. The Old Town restroom courtyard project will cost about $25,000. A Department of Land Conservation and Development Commission grant of $11,000 will supplement the city’s share of about $14,000.
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FLORENCE 125TH ANNIVERSARY ❖ JULY 25, 2018
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1991
1992
EVENTS CENTER DRAWINGS RECEIVED THE SIUSLAW NEWS, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 31, 1991
The Florence City Council and the All Events Center Committee recently received preliminary architectural drawings and a preliminary project cost estimate from the project’s architect, Richard P. Turl. Events center committee Chairperson and Florence Mayor Wilbur Ternyik said he, the council and the events center committee are generally impressed with the preliminary drawings, which are on display at Florence City Hall, 250 Highway 101. The drawings and plans for the proposed 20,658-square-foot events
center will be sent to a consultant in Seattle for study and to solicit advice on fund raising for the center, Ternyik said. The completion of the preliminary drawings completes Turi’s work for now, Ternyik said. The next steps will involve approval of schematic design, followed by approval of constructional drawings and specifications. Ternyik ardently maintains that the center’s operating budget will have to be approved by voters even though funds for the building’s construction are being raised without voter help.
Teams participating in the 15th annual Oregon Dune Mushers’ Mail Run course through Florence’s Old Town Sunday on the final leg of the 72mile endurance run from North Bend.
FLORENCE HOLDS PEACE VIGIL AS WAR FEARS LOOM
THE SIUSLAW NEWS, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 16, 1991 Florence resident Jack MacLeod wants peace in the Persion Gulf. So do many others. “I am not a military option to be exercised,” MacLeod said. “We want to continue with economic sanctions and try to solve this by any other way than military action or war.” Florence joined the rest of the world Monday night in making an eleventh-hour statement for peace in the Persian Gulf with a candlelight peace vigil in front of Florence City Hall. Once day before the United States’ deadline for Iraqi military forces to pull out of occupied Kuwait, approximately
80 men, women and children braved the wind, rain and cold in Florence for 45 minutes to make it known that they do not want a war. “I think there’s something terribly wrong in the world where its way to solve problems is to send young men from any nation out to kill one another,” Florence resident Lois McConnell said. “It’s time we began addressing the problems in a way to peacefully solve our difficulties between nations and ideologies or anything else.” Despite some heavy winds, participants diligently tried to keep candles lit. Others used flashlights.
18-HOLE GOLF COURSE GAINS FINANCIAL LINK THE SIUSLAW NEWS, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 8, 1992
A $7.9 million line of credit received in December from Ariki Co., Ltd., of Tokyo will be used to initiate construction of an 18-hole golf course and housing project at the north end of Florence this February, Mayor Wilbur Ternyik said Monday,
The annexation of the 240-acre site into the city was approved at a Florence City Council meeting on July 2. A majority of the site spans west of Highway 101, extending from 35th to 43rd streets.
‘Proud of our past, present and future contribution to the Florence economy through sustainable forestry practices’ Phone: (541) 997-8212 • Fax: (541) 997-8213 P.O. Box 219 • 05450 No. Fork Siuslaw Rd. Florence, OR 97439 JULY 25, 2018 ❖ CITY
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1993
1994
FLORENCE STAGES CENTENNIAL BIRTHDAY PARTY
FLORENCE COUNCIL GIVES GREEN LIGHT FOR ALL-EVENTS CENTER
THE SIUSLAW NEWS, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 21, 1993 Early Florence visionary George Melvin Miller was seen walking the streets of Old Town Florence last weekend, as were the likes of Chief Frank Drew and trapper/homesteader David Morse. And 100 years after Laura Johnson debarked from the tugboat Lillian as the first Queen Rhododendra, another Johnson, Shannon, was April 19, 1893, incorporation. named Centennial Queen of the 86th The five-day celebration turned back Rhododendron Festival. the clock on Florence’s history as local The sightings of early Florence resi- residents and visitors dressed in peridents and the royal boat parade on the od clothes and enjoyed old-time events Siuslaw carrying the queen and her such as sack races, horse-drawn carriage court were part of Florence’s centennial rides, barbershop quartets and square birthday party held to honor the city’s dancing.
DOCTORS MERGE WITH PEACE HARBOR THE SIUSLAW NEWS, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 1993 Concerned with what medical spe- Ninth St., with Drs., James Scott, Shacialists in the community call a short- ron Catlin and Michael Hodulik, and age of primary care in Florence, several Dr. David Powley’s clinic, located at local general practitioners have formed 530 Ninth St. a partnership with Peace Harbor HosAlthough the physicians will mainpital to ensure the continuation of pri- tain their respective ownership of the mary health care services to the people two clinics, Peace Harbor Hospital will provide the operational and adminisin western Lane County. The partnership, named Health As- trative support. All current employees sociates of Peace Harbor, involves the of both clinics, including the physiconsolidation of two Florence health cians, will be employed by Peace Harclinics – the Family Health Center, 340 bor Hospital as of March 1.
THE SIUSLAW NEWS, WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 1994
The ink on the final plans is drying, the plans are almost ready to go out and, with luck, construction will start early in the new year. The all-events center project is finally at the point where the long-time wish for a performing arts and convention center in Florence will becoming a reality. “We’re done, we’re ready,” architect Richard Turi said when he told the Florence City Council Monday night about the plans for the center. After hearing those words, councilors voted unanimously to authorize the architect and the city to finalize the plans and start the construction bidding process. The vote was greeted with applause from the audience of allevents center planning and advisory committee members and residents.
“This is something that’s been going on for almost a decade at this point,” Mayor Roger McCorkle said about the planning and campaigning for the allevents center.
PORT OF SIUSLAW FINDS ARTIFACTS ON NOPAL
THE SIUSLAW NEWS, WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 1994 Clearing work on the Port of Siuslaw to look for old bottles since he knew lot near Old Town has uncovered a bit the lot was being cleared. During his of history left by Florence first residents. search, he found some old bones and Work was halted on the project to beads, stated Don Whereat, cultural clear and pave the Nopal Street park- resources coordinator for the Confeding lot after bone fragments and 17 erated Tribes of Coos, Lower Umpqua glass beads were found on the lot two and Siuslaw Indians. The artifacts were apparently uncovered by port crews as weeks ago. According to the Florence office of they pulled up trees in the area. the Oregon State Police, which was The bones and beads were turned notified of the find, a Forest Service over to Whereat and examined by a employee went to the Nopal Street site Eugene archaeologist.
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1995
1996
SPRUCE POINT HUMANE SOCIETY RETIREMENT CENTER BREAKS GROUND ON OPENS FOR BUSINESS SHELTER SITE
FLORENCE EVENTS CENTER GOES ON-LINE
SIUSLAW NEWS, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 9, 1995 Spruce Point, an assisted living community in Florence, opened to the community on Saturday, Aug. 5. The first resident, Thelma Sunderland, moved in that afternoon. Spruce Point is owned by Jim and Andrea Clay, Gene and Patsy Hande, Paul and Connie Redhead, and Mike and Nancy Holcomb. The facility is being managed by Regency Care Centers, which has provided housing and services to seniors for more than 25 years. The 46-unit community features studio and one-bedroom apartments complete with private kitchens and bathrooms and some with patios. Services include three meals daily in the community dining room, weekly housekeeping services, use of complimentary laundry rooms for personal laundry, a full calendar of activities and social events, scheduled group transportation, 24-hour emergency call system in each apartment, and 24hour staffing. Utilities include basic cable television service. Residents also have access to all community rooms, including an activity room, library and beauty salon.
SIUSLAW NEWS, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 26, 1995 Work on the site for the Florence Area Humane Society’s animal shelter began Saturday as an excavator started breaking ground. Local contractor Tom Eaton donated his time and the use of his excavating machinery this weekend to start preparing the site at 2840 Rhododendron Drive. The shelter will be located next to the county’s transfer and recycling station on the east side of Rhododendron Drive. An acre of land there was leased for free by Lane County to the humane society for the next 50 years, David Jackson, chairman of the humane society’s ongoing fundraising campaign for the shelter, said the group is working toward its goal. The humane society hopes to raise $450,000 this year to cover the cost of constructing the shelter. So far, more than $100,000 has been raised for the construction. The 4,750-square-foot shelter is designed with enough space to handle the needs of the community for at least the next 20 years, Jackson said. Once it is built and running, the operating expenses can be paid for from the profits of the society’s thrift store.
community dedicates the long-awaited Florence Events Center THE SIUSLAW NEWS, WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 1996
The saying goes, “Build it and they will come.� Well, they came in droves on Saturday to the Florence Events Center. More than 700 people came to the center’s dedication day, which hosted a variety of local and county dignitaries. “This is a beautiful time for us all to be here,� said Florence Mayor Roger McCorkle. “It is with a great deal of pride that I am a part of this today.�
SIUSLAW AREA WOMEN’S CENTER CELEBRATES MILESTONE Ten years ago, a group of Florence women got together and decided they would tackle some issues they had observed in the community – relationship and parenting problems, violence in the home, financial worries. Whether they didn’t know how much they would accomplish, or hoped they would accomplish as much as they did, doesn’t matter. They have become a major resource for the community and earned a reputation for caring about people.
KEIKO MAKES HUGE DEBUT THE SIUSLAW NEWS, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 10, 1996 He’s only been here three days and has already made a huge splash along the Oregon coast. Oregon’s newest celebrity, Keiko, the killer whale, is settling nicely into his new home, says Newport’s Oregon Coast Aquarium Director Phyllis Bell. “He’s doing great,� Bell said. “He’s eating, keeping somewhat active and just having fun exploring his new home.�
Congratulations on 125 years! “ Ÿ â€? at the FEC! www.eventcenter.org JULY 25, 2018 â?– CITY
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FLORENCE 125TH ANNIVERSARY â?– 55
1997
1998
CITY JUSTICE CENTER OPENS FOR BUSINESS THE SIUSLAW NEWS, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 9, 1997
The enhanced 911 systems enables dispatchers to immediately identify the caller’s name, address and phone number on a small screen. It will also identify the location of a pay phone that is being used by a caller. A “soft room” will enable police officers to talk to witnesses and victims in a comfortable setting. The sally port is equipped with a monitor that can detect too much carbon monoxide in the air. There is plenty of space in the new Florence Justice Center and even some for future expansion. It is a state-of-the-art facility, and hundreds of visitors flocked to the
grand opening of the Florence Justice Center Saturday. Ooohs and ahs could be heard throughout the crowd as they wandered through the massive 27,000foot building. “It’s awesome, simply awesome,” Florence resident Charles White said. “This is what a police station should look like.” In addition to the Florence Police Department, the Justice Center will also house the Lane County Sheriff ’s Office, the Florence Municipal Court and the Florence Justice Court. The building is split into three sections with the police, the courts and the detention area.
FIRE FIGHTERS SIGN HISTORIC PACT THE SIUSLAW NEWS, WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 3, 1997
Fire protection in the Florence area is no longer bound by city limits or separate jurisdictions. People may soon see response teams from the Siuslaw Rural Fire Protection District battling flames in Old Town. And residents may catch a glimpse of Florence Fire Department trucks racing to an emergency south of the Siuslaw Bridge. One may ask what all of the commotion is about. The answer is that
Mayor Roger McCorkle signed an enhanced automatic mutual aid agreement, with approval from the city council, between the Florence Fire Department and the SRFPD. Donald Block, chairman of the SRFPD board, signed the same agreement, on behalf of the board, on Aug. 21, making it official. The agreement had been in the works for about seven months and will combine the efforts of both departments.
SHAPING THE OLD TOWN IMAGE
Agencies begin the process of creating a master plan for the Port Boardwalk Project
THE SIUSLAW NEWS, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 10, 1998 A multi-agency work session on June 3 began the process of deciding a master design plan for the Port of Siuslaw boardwalk project. Steven Clay, from the architectural and planning firm of Crow/Clay & Associates Inc. met with members of the Port Commission, the Port Architectural Review Board, and a member of the City of Florence Planning department. Using a series of slides from the 1800s to the newly constructed Fisherman’s Wharf building, Clay helped those in attendance to solidify their own ideas of what the concept of “Old Town” means to them. “What does ‘Old Town’ mean?” Clay
asked the participants. “This group tonight will help shape what that Old Town idea will be. Great care should be taken with that concept.” Clay recommended that people walk around Old Town and look at each building individually and from different angles to see whether everything fits together into the theme of the area. Using slides, he guided those at the meeting through his own personal tour of Old Town, juxtaposing the designs that attendees said worked and represent the Old Town concept with buildings, although still in Old Town, that did not fit the overall vision of the area.
FRED MEYER GETS THE GREEN LIGHT THE SIUSLAW NEWS, WEDNESDAY, MAY 6, 1998 Florence City Council gives thego-ahead for a long-awaited retail development. The Florence City Council voted unanimously to approve the Fred Meyer project on May 4. The council reviewed and commented on the final findings of fact, which were written by attorneys for Fred Meyer in conjunction with city staff and legal counsel. Most of the discussion surrounded the indemnification of the city and the final members on the height of the in-
filtration system. The final order included an eightpage resolution supporting the design review board decision and outlining 27 conditions Fred Meyer must follow, as well as the 23-page final findings of fact. The decision met with applause from many members of the audience. “While this process may have been lengthy and controversial, we are going to have a much better project than we would have had,” said Mayor Roger McCorkle.
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1999 AUDIO CROSSWALKS INSTALLED AT 2 INTERSECTIONS THE SIUSLAW NEWS, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 4, 1999 Recently installed audio crosswalk signals may help Florence residents and visitors who are blind to navigate the area more safely. The audio crosswalk signals were recently installed at the intersections of
9th and 21st streets and Highway 101. The signals were installed thanks to the efforts of local resident Robin DeVour who wrote a letter to the Oregon Department of Transportation requesting their installation.
KCST TURNS UP THE RADIO THE SIUSLAW NEWS, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 30, 1999 KCST Radio will make a historic June 24, the changes are based on commove both literally and figuratively as munity feedback to the station. of this Thursday, July 1. General Manager Jon Thompson The station, currently running si- said that the change is being made to multaneous broadcasts on FM 106.9 accommodate the approximately 45 and AM 1250, will split the two chan- percent of the population in the 97439 nels to broadcast two different stations zip code that is age 50 or older. “The current combined FM/AM with different formats operating out of a new facility on Highway 101. programming targets ages 25 to 55 or According to a Community Forum 60,” Thompson said. discussion broadcast on Thursday,
OIL FROM BLASTED BOAT ARRIVES ON CENTRAL COAST
Booms have been placed at Siltcoos and Tahkenitch outlets as oily pollutants from the grounded New Carissa wash up near Florence.
THE SIUSLAW NEWS, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 1999 The oil and tar globs washing ashore in the Florence area, and intermittently farther north are the results of the beached ship in Coos Bay. The New Carissa, a 639-foot-long dry bulk carrier owned by Teiheio, a Japanese company, and registered in Panama, “slipped its moorings” early
on the morning of Feb. 4, according to the United State Coast Guard. The Coast Guard responded to the grounded freighter stuck on the bar one mile off of North Point Jetty at Coos Bay. On Friday, Feb. 5, 23 crew members of the vessel were removed by Coast Guard helicopters.
2000 COLDWELL BANKER SOLD
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 5, 2000
The new millennium brings new changes for Florence’s longest-standing real estate company. Ron and Jean Edelman of Coldwell Banker Coast Real Estate have sold their business to Andy Johnson, a sales associate on Coast’s staff since 1992. Originating in 1956 as Florence Real Estate, the firm became one of the city’s most successful businesses over the years, and Coast has been the market leader since its inception, according to the Edelmans, who first purchased the property and business in 1985 from Rick Cox. “The staff here at Coast is absolutely the best anywhere, and the company’s reputation is outstanding,” Johnson said.
CAPE CREEK TUNNEL SLIDE REFUSES TO QUIT Highway 101 approximately 10 miles north of Florence, near Cape Creek tunnel, will be closed indefinitely because of continuing slides, the Oregon Department of Transportation announced on Jan. 10. “Until we get relief from the rainy weather, the slide is not likely to stabilize and the road will not be opened,” said Don Ehrich, district manager for ODOT. “We are monitoring the slide as more material continues to come down.” But until it stops raining, ODOT is unwilling to put its people in danger by having them clear the site Total cost of repair to the Highway 101 hillside could reach $1 million.
SIUSLAW NEWS HAS NEW OWNERSHIP
Paul and Beverly Holman sell the newspaper to News Media Corporation
SIUSLAW NEWS, WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 2, 2000 The Siuslaw News, Florence’s oldest quartered in Rochelle, Ill., holds business, has been sold to News Media more than 50 small local daily and Corporation. weekly newspapers throughout the The sale was announced by the out- country. going and incoming publishers at a Siu“The company’s philosophy is to provide up-to-date local news to the slaw News staff meeting on Thursday. “I’ve sold the newspaper to a com- community in an objective manner pany whose ideals are a close match and to become a productive memto ours,” said Paul Holman, co-pub- ber of the community,” Bartlett said. lisher of the Siuslaw News for the “Our main goal is to assimilate our past 20 years. corporation’s policies with the existHolman introduced the newspa- ing programs that are already sucper’s new publisher, John Bartlett, cessful here.” Bartlett said the purchase of the who arrived Wednesday from his former home in Watsonville, California. Siuslaw News gives the company its News Media Corporation, head- first newspaper holding in Oregon.
SIUSLAW PIONEER MUSEUM See the History
Home of historic displays, pictures and other information about the Siuslaw River area, including The Pioneers and the City of Florence. May 1st through September 30th Open 7 days a week 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. 278 Maple St in Florence, OR. JULY 25, 2018 ❖ CITY
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FLORENCE 125TH ANNIVERSARY ❖ 57
2001
2002
STATE OF SHOCK
Florence reacted with the rest of the country to the tragic acts of terrorism on the East Coast
SIUSLAW NEWS, WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 2001
The scene in Florence, Oregon, yesterday morning must have been similar to other small-town scenes playing out all over the country, as the news of hijacked passenger planes crashing into commercial and government centers started to sink in. Workers on Maple Street were loading planks onto a truck. One of them said he’d visited New York two months ago, where he’d seen the World Trade Center. “You can’t believe how tall it is,” he said. At the bar on Bay Street, four patrons and the bartender were turned to the TV on the far wall. Rumors of other
aircraft unaccounted for, one of them being tailed by fighter planes, ciruclated around the bar area. On the wall, the TV news anchor began to interview an expert. After a few seconds, the expert turned around in his chair and crabbed at a group behind him about a loud television monitor making it hard for him to hear the questions. The sight of the TV expert losing his grip struck everybody in the bar as comic, and we laughed too loudly for the situation. Then the bar grew quiet again, except for the TV. “Now you know how people felt after Pearl Harbor,” someone said.
NEW FIRE STATION A SYMBOL OF COMMUNITY PRIDE
SIUSLAW NEWS, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 6, 2001 More that 200 people attended the dedication of the new Siuslaw Valley Fire and Rescue main station at 19th Street and Highway 101 on Saturday. The community celebration lasted from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. as members of the public were given tours of the new facility, which includes a dormitory area, large training/meeting space, administrative offices, and amenities for the volunteer firefighters. The dedication was held in the appa-
ratus bay, a large garage-like area designed to hold two engines, one water tender, one quick-attack engine, two rescue vehicles, one trailer with quads and one communications van. The bay was filled with local residents and emergency service personnel, plus visiting EMS departments from other cities.
FLORENCE CHOSEN FOR 1ST DIVE PARKS
SAFEWAY, TRUE VALUE SHUFFLE ASSETS
Oregon’s first under-water parks are set for Woahink, jetty
Safeway plans to expand, add gas station; True Value will move into the Dunes Village Shopping Center
Three local sites have been chosen as Oregon’s first underwater dive parks. According to the Oregon Underwater Parks Association, two sites on Woahink Lake and old fish ladder at the North Jetty have been chosen as the state’s first underwater parks. The Oregon Underwater Parks Association said that more than $3 million is spent annually in Washington by Oregon divers and that the new underwater park will help bring that money back into the state. According to Monty King, of the association and in Oregon State Parks and Recreation Department SCUBA Task Force, he has been working to start dive parks in the state since 1999. “I thought it was weird that we were the only coastal state that didn’t have a dive park,” King said. “So when my brother got elected to the Oregon House in 1999, he said write me a bill. The bill said that state parks had to develop three dive parks within two years. Rep. Jim Welsh heard the bill in the last session. He said that he liked the idea.” Welsh said he liked the idea so much that the Legislature would support the project without legislation.
Part of Florence’s commercial core will take on a new look early next year following the sale of Owen’s Thriftway this week. The deal is a three-way transaction between Mike and Linda Owen, who owned Thriftway and the Dunes Village Shopping Center Safeway Inc., and the Lemhouse family, owners and operators of Florence True Value Hardware. “The net effect, after everything clicked into place,” Owen said, “is True Value owns this property and Safeway owns their property.” Tim Lemhouse, one of the True Value owners, said that the deal gives True Value the entire shopping center except for two businesses on its west end. “Everything you see that the red canopy covers (is part of the deal),” Lemhouse said, “from Subway to Dunes Cafe. ... All those people will stay in as tenants.” The move into the grocery store’s space will double True Value’s retail space to approximately 20,000 square feet, Lemhouse said. It will also give the business more parking. “I think it’s going to work out great for us,” he said.
BeauxArts Fine Art Materials Come Visit, Engage & Create!
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Empowering Your Creativity 58
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FLORENCE 125TH ANNIVERSARY ❖ JULY 25, 2018
2003
2004 TEACHERS GEAR UP FOR FIGHT TO KEEP SCHOOL FUNDING
WALKWAY TO CITY DOCK NEARLY COMPLETE
Teachers meet to address postcards in support of the upcoming tax surcharge
THE SIUSLAW NEWS, SATURDAY, JANUARY 10, 2004
THE SIUSLAW NEWS, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 8, 2003 A brick walkway through Old Town Park in Florence, the work of Dave Miller of the city’s Public Works Department, is nearing completion. On Monday, Miller was setting the last few bricks between the new walk and the gangway leading down to the city dock.
COUNCIL APPROVES LCOG STUDY OF ‘BUILDABLE LANDS’ Study to look at proposed expansions of the urban growth boundary
THE SIUSLAW NEWS, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 15, 2003 Florence City Council gave the green light Monday for the Lane Council of Governments (LCOG) to immediately begin a study of “buildable lands” in areas that are part of proposed expansions of the city’s urban growth boundary. The study, expected to take three or four months, will seek to document the number of potential residential lots in areas now just outside the city limits along Munsel Lake Road and North Fork Siuslaw Road. Included are part of the Ocean Dunes Golf course and the Hatch Tract. At the Jan. 13 council meeting, Sandi Young, community development director, said the proposed expansions are based
on the city’s desire to extend city services in areas where they are needed and to streamline what is now a patchwork of city and county jurisdictions. The council decided to fund the study, estimated at $29,000, out of city coffers. Local Realtor Dale Saari, representing the Central Oregon Coast Board of Realtors, challenged the city council to include an inventory of buildable commercial and industrial lands, along with residential lots. He argued that the last of the large commercial lots within the city are about to be developed. “This is our economic future,” Saari said.
“We’re going to be out of paper soon,” someone said. “There are only two boxes left in the building.” The remark came as area teachers met Wednesday night to address postcards in support of Measure 30 and talk about the state of schools. “I don’t think the general public knows that cuts have been going on steadily for the past four or five years, because they’re hidden cuts,” said Julia Tousley-Ritt, a fourth grade teacher and past president of the Siuslaw Education Association. “Here we go again.” One by one, teachers talked about the things they noticed around the Siuslaw schools; the telltale signs of the belt-tightening that districts across the state were forced to make in the wake of Measure 28’s failure last year. Some were little things, like having enough paper; at the elementary and pri-
mary school, parents were being asked to have their kids bring their own paper to school. A text book was being shared among four teachers. There was no longer pay for attending conferences and no travel expenses. Other changes were more obvious. Like the librarian who was let go, forcing the remaining librarian to be spread across the district. When the primary and elementary school principals left last year, the district combined the two schools and hired one principal to oversee both. The loss of an administrator, a teacher said, made things more difficult in two large buildings and teachers had to take up some of the slack. “Things we had educational aides doing before, teachers are now doing at home,” said Tousley-Ritt. “Class sizes are going up and teachers are having to do cleaning in their classrooms that they never had to do before.”
Located in the heart of Old Town Florence in the old Harbor Theater building, on Bay Street, Stitch & Sole (formerly On Your Feet With A Splash) opened as a shoe store offering many top brands of footwear. In 2012 Owner JeriLyn McCullough and Manger/Buyer Sadie Ward added top quality clothing, when they merged with Splash clothing. Earlier this year they changed the store name to Stitch & Sole. The name better reflects the store’s complete offering of Clothing, Shoes & Style. Stitch & Sole is proud to be celebrating 14 years of being part of the Florence community.
1377 Bay Street Old Town Florence 541-997-7463 JULY 25, 2018 ❖ CITY
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FLORENCE 125TH ANNIVERSARY ❖ 59
2005
2006
80 ACRES OF DUNES FOR SALE
CITY NEEDS 265 UNITS NOW TO HOUSE ITS GROWING WORKFORCE
New Lane County plan puts classic riverfront dunes site up for sale
THE SIUSLAW NEWS, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 28, 2005
It’s 80 acres of forest and dunes on the Siuslaw River bank across from Florence, where mischief makers sometimes leave messages written large in the sand. To the casual eye, it’s just a part of the swath of public land that makes up the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area west of the bridge, but that’s not so, and those who have taken the view for granted could be in for a surprise. Platted over 100 years ago and now in tax foreclosure, it’s actually a subdivision of one-acre lots, and it’s going up for sale by the Lane County Parks Department. The expanse of forest, sand and wetlands has been parkland for only a week and it won’t stay that way for long under a new plan approved by Lane County Commissioners. The board voted last Wednesday to turn the tax-foreclosed acreage over to the parks department for public sale.
It’s a test case for a policy where the county will give certain tax-foreclosed acreages to the parks department and that agency will then sell them to generate income. The Glenada property is the first the county will cut its teeth on, allowing the parks division to gain experience with the process of selling tax-foreclosed land. The push is a response to revenue problems, according to a report to the commissioners by Lane County Parks manager Todd Winter. Winter told the Lane County Board of Commissioners at a February 2 meeting that the parks department was searching for ways to make up revenue lost to the closure of Fern Ridge Lake. The pot of money from the sale would be invested in other revenue opportunities like moorage docks and campgrounds around the county.
Land inventory shows parcels prime for multiple-unit development
THE SIUSLAW NEWS, WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2006 City council gave affordable housing a constructive nod Monday night after City Manager Rodger Bennett formally placed on the table a recent study that details the town’s most pressing needs. Bennett pointed out that 265 housing units are needed now for local retail and service workers. “It’s no small matter that 265 units is a big need for a city of this size,” he said. Oregon Pacific Bank, developer James Genereaux, city staff and others met informally last summer to discuss the difficulties of recruiting and retaining employees and found that housing posed the greatest obstacle. The group commissioned the Housing Needs Study, which clearly stated
that few homes in the Florence area were priced in a range affordable to average wage earners nor was an adequate number of affordable rentals available. Since the findings were published, the group has worked to identify parcels of land that could be developed for apartments and multiple family dwellings. Two prime spots were four blocks between 10th and 11th streets from Hemlock to Fir and land along Ninth Street. Bennett suggested that the council consider units like Oak Terrace and two- to three- story apartments. “One block might contain 20 to 30 units,” Bennett said. “It would put something of a dent in the housing need.”
LETTERS TO TIKRIT Mr. Rehnberg’s third-grade class sends holiday cheer to soldiers in Iraq
THE SIUSLAW NEWS, SATURDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2006 “Dear American Soldier,” is written on the blackboard. “We’re making letters for soldiers in Iraq,” says one student. Teacher Mike Rehnberg recruits his students to make Christmas tree ornaments with popsicle sticks and colored yarn — and handwritten letters, all headed to the 69 total members of an Air Cavalry unit based in Tikrit, Iraq under the command of Sergeant Mark Carl.
Proud to be part of the Florence Community since 2005!
2066 Highway 101, Florence 541-997-0343 60
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Produce • Dairy & Deli Health & Beauty • Frozen Foods Fresh Meat • Housewares • Beer & Wine Organic & Natural Foods and much more!
FLORENCE 125TH ANNIVERSARY ❖ JULY 25, 2018
We have ample RV parking!
Lisa Fassler and Brian Barnard
Independent Owners/Operators Florence Grocery Outlet
2007
2008
100 RHODIES
ARCHIVES CLEAR TO USE MARILYN PHOTOS
THE SIUSLAW NEWS, WEDNESDAY, MAY 23, 2007 “They had an extremely good year,” It rained on Florence’s parade, but don’t tell that to anyone who celebrat- said Feingold. “If Sunday had been clear, it would have been a new record ed Rhody Days weekend. Rhododendron Days Festival for them dollar-wise. They still did kicked off last week on Friday, with very well.” Feingold was nothing but praise for events happening around town as early as Tuesday. The festival celebrated the whole weekend’s proceedings. “It was superior,” said Feingold. “It its 100th year this year. The theme was was the best festival we’ve ever had. “100 Years of Reflection.” Sun and clear skies made up the I’ve heard nothing but compliments weather report all week until Sunday, about all the events.” Feingold estimated that about when rain and clouds rolled in just in 50,000 guests swelled Florence’s poputime for the Grand Floral Parade. If it weren’t for Sunday’s gray skies, lation over the weekend. He said there the Davis Carnival would have had were more bikers, more parade entries one of its best years ever in Florence, and more events than in the past. Julie Knox, executive director of reported festival chairman and coorthe Florence Area Chamber of Comdinator Bret Feingold. The annual carnival sets up Wednes- merce, was also pleased with the fesday through Sunday on Port of Siu- tival this year. slaw property.
THE SIUSLAW NEWS, SATURDAY, APRIL 12, 2008 Since settling a major lawsuit last a “one-stop shop for all things Marilyn.” The intense legal battle has taken the month that now allows local businessman Joshua Greene to freely license fa- better part of three years to conclude, mous photographs taken by his father Greene said. Greene, whose small phoand others of Marilyn Monroe, the Flor- to restoration archive operates with four ence-based archivist and photographer full-time and two part-time employees, has been going head-to-head in New says business is finally pouring in. Greene, who owns The Archives, LLC, York and California against one of the on Kingwood Street, recently helped heavyweights in the six- figure world of create a licensing company, Legends Li- licensing, CMG Worldwide. “It’s my heritage, essentially,” said censing, with California- based business partner and licensing director Gary Saal. Greene. “It was Milton’s job to look out Greene serves as the firm’s creative di- for how she looked. He selected her rector. He approves the content and use wardrobe and bought her clothes. He of the images that his father, Milton H. was raised by a tailor. He was a visual Greene, took of the actress just as she was person. His job was to make sure she becoming a household name. Legends looked good at all times.” The new company is just getting startLicensing operates from offices in Calied, so Greene said it is hard to tell how fornia and Florence. Greene wants to bring all Marilyn pho- successful it will become. In the meantographers under one roof, making the time, he is putting his big dreams for the new business into what he wants to call modern Marilyn aside to get to work.
Rain doesn’t dampen 100th Rhododendron Festival spirits
After a $2M legal wrangle, Joshua Greene starts new licensing company
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Relaxing riverfront view from all rooms. www.myflorencedds.com JULY 25, 2018 ❖ CITY
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1256 Bay Street FLORENCE 125TH ANNIVERSARY ❖ 61
2009
2010
CONSTRUCTION OF LIBRARY ADDITION NOW UNDER WAY
SIUSLAW NEWS, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 2009
Heavy equipment appeared at the Siuslaw Public Library to begin work on the long-anticipated library addition building project. The project will add 6,000 square feet to the present 15,000-square-foot facility. Parking will increase from the current 33 spaces to 56 once the project is completed. Funding for the library building addition is coming from a number of sourc-
es, including private donations from individuals, families and businesses, the proceeds from the Owen and Jeanne Welles Trust and from the estate of the late Linda Buck, a $300,000 Ford Family Foundation grant, a $300,000 contribution from the Florence Urban Renewal Agency, and a line of credit that the Library District will repay from future revenues.
REBUILDING THE OLD FOOTPRINT SIUSLAW NEWS, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 2009
It has been more than 10 years since the Port of Siuslaw began planning the Maple Street Landing and Transient Dock replacement project, but fleeting boaters will once again be able to conveniently moor their vessels behind Old Town. Last week, the project got under way as the port started removing the old wood transient dock and landing along Bay Street in preparation for the new concrete dock and metal landing. “This is a huge thing for Florence,” Port Manager Mark Freeman said. He said the new dock will attract
more transient traffic, such as commercial or sport fishing boats and research vessels from up and down the Pacific coast, and hopefully increase the city’s economy.
Scotch broom’s invasion process is obvious as it takes off across a popular viewpoint near the Siuslaw River Bridge.
CITYWIDE DISPOSAL EFFORTS
SIUSLAW NEWS, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 5, 2010 Its yellow, pea-shaped flowers may their property, and Scotch broom is confuse passersby, but the noxious no exception. Residents who do not comply weed Cytisus scoparius, commonly known as Scotch broom, is again in- could “potentially be subject to being vading Florence, prompting the city cited and ultimately be subject to an to eradicate the perennial through a abatement by the city,” Ott said. “We would always use that as a last resort. communitywide effort. Scotch broom, a species known to We try to get people’s voluntary comdisplace native plants, easily plagues pliance first.” The Oregon Department of Agnatural sites, dunes and public and private forestlands. This year, area riculture (ODA) classifies Scotch residents have experienced a stron- broom as a B-rated noxious weed, ger than normal growth of the weed. meaning the species negatively im“It’s obviously a substantial prob- pacts the state’s economy. Each year lem, and it is regulated by city code,” the weed costs Oregon an estimated said Code Enforcement Officer $47 million in lost timber producBrandon Ott. “It would fall under tion. ODA Projects Coordinator Tom something that we would normally Forney said western Oregon has only enforce.” According to Ott, Florence City a few county programs to help conCode prohibits citizens from allow- trol weeds, like Scotch broom, due to ing noxious vegetation to grow on funding restraints.
A CO M M U N I T Y- O W N E D E L EC T R I C
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FLORENCE 125TH ANNIVERSARY ❖ JULY 25, 2018
2011
2012
EXTINGUISHING THE LIGHT
SIUSLAW NEWS, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 11, 2011 Heceta Head Lighthouse to undergo extensive renovation this August, closing the historic landmark for up to two years.
Each year more than 40,000 visitors tour the Heceta Head Lighthouse north of Florence, with thousands more stopping by to photograph the 118-year-old tower and its Keeper’s House, both of which are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. But lately, continuous weather and salt exposure have damaged the lighthouse, causing exponential deteriora- A federal grant has provided much-needed tion with each passing funding to restore Heceta Head Lighthouse and season. Corroded rails, repair the lighthouse roof and vent ball, inset. damaged cast iron, cracked stone corbels, chipped paint — year, preserving the 56-foot icon and the coastline’s brightest light for future the list of repairs is endless. A coastal landmark that has attract- generations. Beginning Aug. 1, the lighthouse ed so many visitors to the area since its first lantern was lit in 1894, Heceta will be closed to the public during the Head Lighthouse seems to have run its renovation, which could take up to two years for completion. The projcourse. The Oregon Parks and Recreation ect is the second phase of a $1 milDepartment, however, will begin ex- lion-plus comprehensive overhaul at tensive historical restoration work this the state park.
BRING ON THE POWER Power of Florence becomes a movement
Eleven-year-old Kaylee Graham began Power of Florence in 2011 to encourage a day of service in the City of Florence. After the first year, Kaylee said that many people offered to participate in the event again. Did this event give Kaylee Graham any big ideas for the future? “Lots,” she said. “I have lots of ideas.” In 2012, the Florence City Council dedicated the third Saturday in July every year to be known as the Power of Florence, a day dedicated to volunteering, giving back and making a difference.
SIUSLAW NEWS STAFF WISHES THE CITY OF FLORENCE A HAPPY 125TH! From all of us including:
Nick Richards, Inserter/Circulation; Philip Larson, Circulation; Sean Bures, Inserter Buddy Colvin, Inserter; Ty Beaudreu, Solutions Consultant; Dan Okonski, Circulation JULY 25, 2018 ❖ CITY
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FLORENCE 125TH ANNIVERSARY ❖ 63
2013
2014
LIBRARY UNVEILS BRONZE SCULPTURE DEMONSTRATING THE JOY OF READING
HOUSE THAT SEARS BUILT
SIUSLAW NEWS, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 15, 2014
SIUSLAW NEWS, SATURDAY, MARCH 9, 2013
Edwin Kyle Home, now a B&B, turns 100 years old
In March 1970, the Edwin Kyle house was moved from its site on the hill near Highway 101, where Dairy Queen sits today, to the home’s present location on Bay Street. Contractors hauled the house down Kingwood Street without incident, according to a Siuslaw News article.
Sculptor Mack Holman and Siuslaw Public Library Director Steve Skidmore survey the library’s new statue. A life-size bronze statue of a woman clutching a book while in a blissful stance was unveiled last week at the Siuslaw Public Library after nine months in the making by renowned Gardiner sculptor Mack Holman. The 6-foot, 500-pound sculpture, as yet unnamed, was delivered and placed March 1 near the flagpole on the library grounds on Ninth Street in Florence. According to Library Director Steve Skidmore, the idea of having a sculpture has been in the works since the completion of the library’s building expansion project in 2010.
“It’s always a good idea to have some sort of public art that’s connected to a major building project, so that was kind of our focus,” he said. The committee met with Holman, owner of the Tsunami Gallery in Gardiner, after viewing his iconic bronze figure titled “Cramming for Finals,” which can been seen while passing through Gardiner on Highway 101. “We were, of course, familiar with his work, having seen (his sculpture) on the highway in Gardiner. So we knew what sort of things he did,” Skidmore said.
Imagine flipping through a catalog of pre-designed houses to find the perfect home that suits your tastes and budget. Upon ordering, precut lumber and all the materials — even the nails — are delivered with instructions, ready to be assembled. Back in the early 1900s, Sears, Roebuck and Co. provided such an option for families, selling about 75,000 homes through its mail-order Modern Homes program, which ran from 1908 to 1940 and included nearly 450 different housing styles. The Edwin K Bed and Breakfast, left, a 1914 Sears Craftsman home built by the Kyle family, still includes some of the house’s original features, such as the wood flooring.
SIUSLAW NEWS STAFF WISHES THE CITY OF FLORENCE A HAPPY 125TH!
Cathy Dietz
Office Supervisor 2000
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Jeremy Gentry Press Manager 1999
Dennis Wooten Pressman 2010
FLORENCE 125TH ANNIVERSARY ❖ JULY 25, 2018
Mike Capps Pre-Press 1983
Marilyn Karow
Pre-Print Supervisor 2001
Emily Davis Circulation 1998
2015
2016
FLORENCE AREA CELEBRATES 100 YEARS OF LIBRARY SERVICES
NEW VISION UNDERWAY FOR OLD TOWN AND HIGHWAY 101 CORRIDOR
SIUSLAW NEWS, SATURDAY, MAY 2, 2015
In 1936, Florence Public Library “had enthusiasm and books but very little else,” according to coverage of the library’s 50th anniversary publication on June 3, 1965. Only one library patron was needed to maintain the grounds at this location, as there was no water available to plant shrubs or flowers. The buildings were donated by the Oregon State Highway Commission and relocated behind the Cooper Building on Bay Street.
V IS FOR VETERANS Oregon Coast Military Museum opens on Independence Day
The City of Florence and the Florence Urban Renewal Agency (FURA) hosted the Economic Strategy and Highway Streetscape Open House on Tuesday, featuring representatives from the agency’s consulting group and architects who presented their vision for Historic Old Town and the Highway 101 corridor. Members of the community were invited to learn about FURA’s work toward an economic strategy for the Urban Renewal District and designs for local highways. The project is now
called ReVision Florence. According to City Manager Erin Reynolds, the entire process could take two to three years. Florence Mayor Joe Henry opened the presentation at the Florence Events Center for the estimated 150 people in attendance. “We promised you a year ago that we would be a city in motion. I think especially recently you have seen that there are a whole lot of things going on in town, and some great ideas being planned,” Henry said.
TAKING THE SPOTLIGHT
THE SIUSLAW NEWS, FRIDAY, JULY 3, 2015 After seven-and-ahalf years, changes in sites, shifts in board members, unexpected expenses, thousands of dollars in donations and many fundraising efforts, the Oregon Coast Military Museum (OCMM) will open its doors at 2145 Kingwood St. in a grand opening July 4. “It’s been a blessing to work on the museum,” said OCMM President and veteran Tim Sapp. “It’s blessed a lot of veterans who have been encouraged to be a part of this.” The museum’s goal is to preserve the history and artifacts of area veterans and military families. This is especially important in Florence, since figures state that veterans
SIUSLAW NEWS, SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2016
Dancing With Sea Lions arrives for FEC’s 20th anniversary
THE SIUSLAW NEWS, SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 2016 make up 20 percent of the area’s population, according to founding member Cal Applebee, who regularly writes Military Chronicles about topics important to OCMM members, referred to originally as the Killroy Corps. “We wanted to represent all military branches as much as possible,” Vice President Wayne Sharpe said.
Porter the sea lion took the stage at Florence Events Center (FEC) Feb. 1 as the 21 life-sized sea lion fiberglass statues arrived in Florence. The statues are part of the FEC’s 20th anniversary celebration, “Dancing with Sea Lions.” Now, local and regional artists will spend the next two months painting and decorating each sea lion. All 21 sea lions will gather at the FEC in April before they are installed at locations from Reedsport to Newport, but mostly in Florence.
SIUSLAW NEWS STAFF WISHES THE CITY OF FLORENCE A HAPPY 125TH!
Misty Berg
Classified/Inside Sales 2018
Susan Gutierrez
Advertising Director 1998
Jeanna Petersen Advertising Sales 2003
Ron Annis
Production Supervisor 2006
Peggy McHale
JULY 25, 2018 ❖ CITY
Classified/RE Designer 1992
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Andy Nicolais Graphic Designer 2018
FLORENCE 125TH ANNIVERSARY ❖ 65
2017
2018
A GREAT DAY FOR THE U.S. COAST GUARD
‘GAINING MOMENTUM’ WITH PUBLIC ART
Florence is celebrated as newest of 24 U.S. Coast Guard Cities
Florence Public Art Committee continues to unveil artwork in Old Town and beyond
THE SIUSLAW NEWS, SATURDAY, AUGUST 19, 2017 The City of Florence officially became Throop said. “I knew I was coming into a the 24th American Coast Guard City on special place when I saw those American Wednesday in a ceremony at Florence flags flying. It has continued to get more special every passing minute as I spent a Events Center. Residents, dignitaries and community little more time here and had the chance members attended the event, put on by to meet some of you.” Florence Mayor Joe Henry accepted U.S. Coast Guard 13th District Commander Rear Admiral David Throop’s the designation from Throop, announcoffice, with the cooperation of local Sta- ing that Florence Public Works crews tion Siuslaw River and its executive petty were able to install a brand new “Welcome to Florence — A Coast Guard City” officer, BMC Ben Snider. The hour-long ceremony had the over- sign at Gallagher Park on Highway 126 arching theme of “relationship” as speak- that morning. “It’s an indicator of the relationship beers honored the 100-year history of Flortween the city and the Coast Guard, one ence and its Coast Guard. Throop was the presiding official and that we hold in highest regard,” Henry dedicated Florence as the 24th Coast said. “I am humbled, yet very proud and honored, to be here today on behalf of Guard City. “It is great to be here to honor the City the City of Florence to accept this presof Florence, which has had a 100-year re- tigious award to become the 24th Coast lationship with your U.S. Coast Guard,” Guard City.”
THE SIUSLAW NEWS, SATURDAY, APRIL 28, 2018 The Public Art Committee, members On April 24, the Public Art Committee gathered at the Florence Senior Center, of the Florence Senior Center Board of Directors, city staff and com1570 Kingwood St., to unveil munity members attendthe newest public art in ed the event to thank Florence: a metal horse Spayd, a retired pilot sculpture donated to and active volunteer, the city. and Green, the chief “We gathered here executive officer today to celebrate of Oregon Pacific and acknowledge a Bank. very generous doThe horse has nation of this wonmade a long jourderful piece of art by ney from Kenya to Sam Spayd and Ron Florence. It also had to Green,” said Committee go through the same selecChairman Harlen Springer. tion process that all public art “I think you can agree that pubin Florence requires. lic art is beginning to gain momentum “We have certain criteria for creativity here in Florence. We are moving on a couple projects and we’re going to have several and artistic awareness. Mostly though, at more big projects come up in the next 90 the end of the day, we look for the ‘Wow days. You’re going to see sculptures, murals Factor,’” Springer said. “When you walk up and all kinds of things like this show up all to something, do you go, ‘Wow! Look at that?’ This certainly qualifies.” over time.”
On March 14, Oregon Gov. Kate Brown visited Historic Old Town and new businesses in economic development tour with the city, the Regional Accelerator and Innovation Network (RAIN) and other partners. “I’m certainly committed to moving Oregon forward,” Brown said. “We’ve made incredible progress over the past couple years, and I want to make sure we continue that forward march. Oregon is a place where everyone can thrive.”
IS COASTAL LIVING IN JEOPARDY? From November 2017 to January 2018, the Siuslaw News published a 9-part series exploring life on the Oregon coast, including housing, jobs and economic development, education and connectivity.
SIUSLAW NEWS STAFF WISHES THE CITY OF FLORENCE A HAPPY 125TH!
Jenna Bartlett Publisher 2011
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Ned Hickson Editor 1998
Chantelle Meyer Features Editor 2015
FLORENCE 125TH ANNIVERSARY ❖ JULY 25, 2018
Mark Brennan City Reporter
Jared Anderson Community Reporter
Damien Sherwood Editorial Consultant
Burns’s Riverside Chapel Florence Funeral Home
“Our family taking care of yours.”
T
he Burns family own, operate and provide all services at their Kingwood St. location. They serve the families of Western Lane County, Reedsport and South Lincoln County. They have the ability to provide traditional funerals to contemporary memorials at their facility. The Chapel is available for funerals and ‘Celebration of Life’; offering screen/projector for tributes for services on premise. The family also own and operate Siuslaw Valley Crematory located at the Kingwood St. location along with Pacific Sunset Cemetery off Highway 126 overlooking the beautiful Siuslaw River. The cemetery offers urn lots, burial lots and a special section for our veterans. The Burns family have a deep appreciation for their community friends and have served in many capacities in the city of Florence, volunteering many hours of their personal time.
For over 30 years they truly have been a community friend and conduct business with the mind of ...OUR Family taking care of YOURS!
2765 Kingwood St. • 541-997-3416 • www.burnsriversidechapel.com JULY 25, 2018 ❖ CITY
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FLORENCE 125TH ANNIVERSARY ❖ 67
A Brief Timeline of the Florence Area
The area along the Siuslaw River was originally settled by the Siuslaw Indians. The first white visitors to the Florence area arrived in 1836. By 1876, the government opened the Siuslaw Valley for settlement and David Morse established the first homestead. In 1877, the Duncan & Co. cannery opened, which ultimately led to the founding of the town. 1890 — The West is the area’s first newspaper, running in its lifetime as Florence Times, The Siuslaw Oar and, now, the Siuslaw News. 1893 — City of Florence incorporated after a bill in the senate and the governor’s signature. 1893 — Capt. Millard Fillmore Parker named first mayor of Florence. 1893 — Heceta Head Lighthouse is completed. It is first lit in 1924. 1908 — Rhododendron Festival begins. It is the second oldest floral festival in Oregon, and the third oldest on the West Coast. 1909 — Port of Siuslaw establishes port district. It was chartered with an economy built on fishing, canning and lumber. 1915 — Florence opens first library, which later becomes the Siuslaw Public Library District, with branches in both Florence and Mapleton. 1916 — Confederated Tribes of Coos, Lower Umpqua & Siuslaw Indians establish a formal, elected tribal government. 1917 — U.S. Coast Guard Station Siuslaw River, originally a lifesaving station, established on the Siuslaw River. Its current area of responsibility is from Cape Perpetua south to Siltcoos River. 1917 — Siuslaw River Jetties completed. Renovations made to the North Jetty in 1957 and to the South Jetty in 1962. 1932 — Sea Lion Caves opens to the public. The first recorded entrance by explorers was in 1887. Remodels, including a 210-foot elevator, have been made since then to make the site more accessible. 1936 — Beachcomber Pub established. 68
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1936 — Jessie M. Honeyman Memorial State Park opened to public. 1936 — Siuslaw River Bridge completed and dedicated during the Rhododendron Festival. 1945 — The auto repair company now called Hoberg’s Complete Auto Repair is established and continues to be a family business. 1948 — Coast Jewelers established and is run by several people over the years. 1949 — Emergency service district formed to provide fire and emergency services. The successor of this district is Siuslaw Valley Fire and Rescue. 1951 — First game played at Hans Petersen Memorial Field. The final game was played in 2001 before the field opened in 2002 on Oak Street. 1956 — Florence Realty Co. incorporated, later becoming Coldwell Banker Coast Real Estate. 1956 — West Lane Hospital dedicated on 12th Street after work since the 1940s. It later moved to Ninth Street and became PeaceHealth Peace Harbor Medical Center in 1989. 1960 — Rotary Club of Florence chartered with 21 members, one more than officially needed to start a club. 1961 — A&W All American Food opens in Florence. 1964 — Siuslaw Bank (now Banner Bank) opens doors in Florence, later branching out to Mapleton and beyond. 1967 — The current site of Florence City Hall is constructed. Few modernization attempts had been made on the site, which also used to house the library, until an extensive redesign and remodel began in January 2018.
A Brief Timeline of the Florence Area, cont. 1967 — Florence Visitor’s Center opens through the Florence Area Chamber of Commerce.
shops (CROW) established to provide quality arts instruction to area youth, including theater, dancing, backstage work and more. CROW opened its Performing Arts Center in 2016 with plans for further expansion.
1969 — Florence Municipal Airport opens with the Florence Airport Dedication and Fly In.
2011 — Power of Florence established by 11-year-old Kaylee Graham.
1972 — Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area established.
2013 — Florence Regional Arts Alliance established.
1973 — Western Lane Community Foundation established through members of the Rotary Club of Florence. 1974 — Siuslaw Pioneer Museum opens its first physical location through work done by the Siuslaw Pioneer Association, which first began in 1920.
on the coast after it was founded nationally in the 1960s.
2014 — Western Lane Emergency Operations Group formed to provide a consistent response and training for emergencies.
1986 — Siuslaw Outreach Services (SOS) established.
1992 — Oregon Coast Humane Society (former- 2014 — Siuslaw Vision 2025 established through The Ford Family Foundation to develop a ly Florence Area Humane Society) established vision for the Siuslaw region, including topics to provide a shelter for the area’s dogs and cats. of education, housing, economic development, 1993 — Last Resort Players established with the nutrition and connectivity. Florence Performing and Fine Arts Festival. The group was able to contribute $5,000 toward 2014 — KXCR 90.7 FM Community Radio begins to offer an alternative, nonprofit radio the building of the Florence Events Center. experience. 1996 — Florence Events Center opens to provide quality event, meeting and entertainment space 2015 — Oregon Coast Military Museum opens on July 4 to honor the area’s military heritage to up to 500 people at once. Last Resort Players and veterans, who makes up 20 percent of the performed “The Music Man.” local population. 1997 — Florence Justice Center opens on Green2016 — Siuslaw Youth Soccer Association estabwood and Ninth streets. lished to provide soccer opportunities to local 2001 — Siuslaw Valley Fire and Rescue opens its youth. Main Station on Highway 101. 2017 — Florence ORganizes forms after the ar2005 — Backstreet Gallery, an artist co-op, opens. ea’s first Women’s March in January 2017. The group of activists began to address issues of 2007 — Florence Urban Renewal District, and healthcare, environment and civil rights. the Florence Urban Renewal Agency, established to focus on the development of Florence, 2018 — Deluxe Corporation’s Small Business from the Siuslaw River Bridge and Highway Revolution comes to Florence after work 101 to Highway 126 and Spruce Street. done by the Downtown Revitalization Team
1988 — KCST/KCSM Coast Radio goes on air. One popular program is “Our Town,” where community members get a vote.
2008 — Oregon Dunes Chapter of the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution established in Florence.
1991 — Florence Habitat for Humanity begins
2011 — Children’s Repertory of Oregon Work-
1976 — Western Lane Ambulance District established. 1976 — Lane Community College opens its Siuslaw Area Skills Center, now called the LCC Florence Center, on Oak Street. 1979 — Oregon Pacific Bank established in Florence, with rapid growth through Oregon. 1979 — Kiwanis Club of Florence chartered, originally with 22 members. 1980 — Florence Food Share established to “alleviate hunger in Western Lane County” through food and emergency services. 1985 — Friends of Florence begins to provide van transportation to the Willamette Valley so coastal cancer patients could have access to treatment.
to “place Florence on the map” of the nation. While Florence was not chosen for the revolution’s economic development project, it reinvigorated the community. “You’ve already won” was the message.
City of Florence 125th Special Commemorative Edition Copyright 2018 — Siuslaw News and Central Coast Publishing This special edition was the culmination of work done by Siuslaw News’ retired graphic designer Carolyn Nordahl, composition leader Ron Annis and features editor Chantelle Meyer, as well as current and past news teams. In addition, the Siuslaw News marketing staff worked tirelessly to find sponsors for each page and to promote the edition. Photos and content courtesy of Siuslaw News, the Siuslaw Pioneer Museum, City of Florence, Florence Area Chamber of Commerce and community members. Thank you, City of Florence, for 125 amazing years — and to the community that keeps us all “The City in Motion.”
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Wishing
the City a Happy
125 BIRTHDAY
th
State Senator Arnie Roblan Democrat - District 5 – Coos Bay 70
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State legislators from Oregon’s Coastal Caucus are bringing together leaders from academia, government and industry for a two-day summit to assess the economic viability of our region. The Oregon Coastal Caucus Economic Summit, now in its seventh year, is scheduled for Wednesday and Thursday, August 22 and 23, at Chinook Winds Casino & Resort, Lincoln City. “We have put together an exciting two-day event, packed with informative panels and discussion opportunities, to bring together Oregon’s coastal leaders to develop strategies that will improve our region’s economy,” Rep. Caddy McKeown, D-Coos Bay, said. “The time and energy invested from those who attend creates a powerful force around potential legislation and helps us determine the impacts on rural and coastal economies.”
Representative Caddy McKeown Democrat - District 09 - Coos Bay
i B r t h y p d p a a y H to Oregon’s Premier Coastal Community “The City in Motion!”
The Florence Area Chamber of Commerce is honored to be your partner in growing our city’s economy and helping its businesses thrive. We celebrate our city’s current forward-thinking, business-friendly leadership while we celebrate our colorful and treasured past. Congratulations on 125 years of tremendous quality of life founded on the positive values and principles that make Florence both Oregon’s Premier Coastal Community and The City in Motion!
Photo: Curt Peters Digital Dunes Photography
FlorenceChamber.com 541-997-3128 290 Highway 101 • Florence JULY 25, 2018 ❖ CITY
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