Author: Kara Ripley

Netherwood Hall Fires

A black and white photo of a building in ruins due to a fire.

Netherwood Hall was located on the corner of Main and Jefferson Streets. This later was the location of a bank, and is now green space. The building had burned down in 1873, but C. W. Netherwood rebuilt on the corner. Additional one-story businesses were later added. The second story was used as a meeting hall […]

Class of 1910

Graduation class of 1910

Here is a photo of Oregon High School’s graduating class from 1910.  Find this and many other gems from the past at the Oregon Area Historical Society and Museum!

Joan Wethal

Joan Wethel

Joan H. Wethal  was born on November 22, 1930 to Wallace and Mae Hegge. Joan graduated from Oregon High School, Class of 1948. She married Wesley Wethal on October 1, 1949.  Wesley and Joan were longtime residents of Oregon, and Joan a lifetime member of Holy Mother of Consolation Catholic Church. Joan was the director […]

Eeda Lumley

eeda lumley

Eeda was born on June 2, 1924 to Axel and Nyna Johnson in a house on Second Street (which would become Washington Street). The family’s roots were already in Oregon for decades. In 1903, Eeda’s grandfather and uncle started the Oregon Drug Store which sold notions, patent medicines, and did a big business in ice […]

Oregon Art Fair

Village of Oregon Public Art June 20 Art Fair from 9am-4pm

Saturday, June 20 From 9am-4pm

At Triangle Park and Downtown Oregon

Florice Paulson

Florice Paulson pictured, woman with white hair in a blue shirt

Florice A. Paulson (August 28, 1917-June 11, 2013) was a driving force in so many Oregon institutions including the Oregon Area Historical Society and Museum. Florice was a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Oregon and the Oregon Chapter, No. 49 Order of the Eastern Star where she was Worthy Matron in 1950 and […]