Oregon Times and Trails by Joan and Gene Olson

Oregon Times and Trails by Joan and Gene Olson

Oregon Times and Trails is a great primer for learning about the history of Oregon.

It contains the perfect combination of detail and interesting stories to make for fun, yet informative reading.

Oregon Times and Trails covers the great expanse of Oregon and the roles played by explorers, natives, mining, government, railroads, logging and shipping.

This book does a terrific job of pointing out just how unique and beautiful Oregon is; from its' coast to its' cities, to its' rivers and deserts. 

Oregon Times and Trails in out of print, but look around, there are used copies available.

George Washington, Postmasters In the Rogue River Canyon Settlements

---A bit of trivia for Washington's Birthday--- 

According to pioneer whitewater river runner, Glen Wooldridge, there were three postmasters in the Rogue River Canyon area who were all named George Washington.

George Washington Billings was postmaster at Marial; George Washington Rilea served at Agness; and George Washington Meservey was postmaster at Illahe.

100 Hikes in Southern Oregon

100 Hikes in Southern Oregon by William L. Sullivan

100 Hikes in Southern Oregon has been our constant hiking companion since moving to Josephine County.  In fact, we're on our second copy of the book, having worn out the first one!

The guides for each hike (and their level of difficulty) are detailed, accurate and easy to follow.  The driving directions are also accurate. 

Sullivan provides a nice glimpse of what to expect on each hike, and also points out good turnaround points if you're hiking with smaller children (or dogs in our case).

We do not venture out on a hike without this very helpful guide!

 

100 Hikes in Southern Oregon can be purchased now for just $18.95

or at the Josephine Historical Society's Bookshop located in the Research Library at 512 K Street, Grants Pass.

Be sure to check out their Online Bookshop for more titles.

The Rogue: A River To Run

The Rogue: A River To Run by Florence Arman, with Glen Wooldridge

The fascinating life story of a man who tamed a river and greatly influenced the world of sport fishing!

Glen Wooldridge knew every riffle, bar, and bend on the mighty Rogue River.  He was also responsible for personally carving out (with tons of dynamite), manageable channels from Grants Pass to Gold Beach.

Glen's colorful and exciting career began with his boyhood fascination with the wild Rogue River, especially the 120 mile section of some of the most dangerous rapids on earth!

Glen threw his saddle on the mighty river, and rode it until it no longer could outwit him.  He became a master boat builder, and the boats he made were tailored for the adventurers who sought the best.

The Rogue: A River To Run was a collaboration of Glen Wooldridge and Florence Arman; and is full of life, death, murder, rescues, and celebrities who came in search of the experience that could only be afforded by running the Rogue with Glen.

The Rogue: A River To Run can be purchased now for just $24.95

or at the Josephine Historical Society's Bookshop located in the Research Library at 512 K Street, Grants Pass; or at their Online Bookshop.

Domain of the Cavemen

Domain of the Cavemen gives an excellent history of the development, progress, and protection of what is now known at the "Oregon Caves National Monument."  Written by historian Stephen R. Mark, it is described as a historic research study, which it certainly is, but it flows very easily for the casual reader as well.

It starts with how much of the exploration and westward expansion skipped over the Illinois Valley in Josephine County due to its' wild and rugged terrain.  It moves through the history of Elijah Davidson's discovery of the cave, to individuals trying to lay claim to the cave, on to dismissal of the caves as being "insignificant," to finally setting the area aside as a National Monument, and recognition of the treasure that the "Oregon Caves" really are.

Domain of the Cavemen can be purchased now for just $14.95

or at the Josephine Historical Society's Bookshop located in the Research Library at 512 K Street, Grants Pass; or at their Online Bookshop.

Daughters Of Joy, Sisters Of Misery by Anne M. Butler

Daughters Of Joy, Sisters Of Misery by Anne M. Butler

Daughters Of Joy, Sisters Of Misery is a painstakingly researched book about prostitutes in the wild, wild west.

Anne M. Butler shows us how wrong our perception of the fun-loving dance hall girl and "heart of gold" madam, portrayed by movie westerns, really is.

She opens our eyes to the wretched poverty and disdain, that these mostly young women and girls, were subjected to.

Miss Kitty is a figment of a TV director's imagination!

Happy Birthday Josephine County!

Josephine County turns 157 this day, January 22, 2013!

"Josephine county embraces that portion of country lying between Jackson county on the east and Curry on the west, and extending from Douglas county to the California line.  The boundaries, as given by the act of legislature of January 22, 1856, creating Josephine county, are as follows:  Beginning at the southwest corner of township 32, range 5, west; being the south boundary of Douglas county;; thence west along the dividing ridge separating the waters of Cow creek from those of Rogue and Coquille rivers, to the northeast corner of Curry county; thence south along the east line of said county to the summit of the divide between Rogue and Illinois rivers;  thence west along the divide to a point seven miles east of the junction of those rivers; thence south to the California state line; thence east to the intersection of the west boundary of range 4, west; thence north to the southeast corner of township 36; thence west to the southwest corner of the same township; thence north to the place of beginning."

The above paragraph comes from the book, History of Southern Oregon by A.G. Walling, published in 1884.

This book is available as a free download in the Internet Archives, courtesy of the Allen County Public Library Genealogy Center.

You have the option of reading it online, downloading it as a PDF, Kindle download, plus several other options.

It's pretty nifty that you can search inside this book for exactly what you are looking for, just by entering a word or phrase.  This makes a great genealogy research tool.

Click here to get it!

Happy Birthday Josephine County and thanks Allen County Public Library!