Oregon History Timeline for January 2018
100 yrs. ago (1918)
A group of area students and their teachers enjoyed a sleigh ride to Oregon for the Deforest-Oregon [basketball] game. The party included Della Ferguson, Mildred Snyder, Mary Graves, Florence Borst, and Doris and Dorothy White and Olga Karmgard, Maurice and Milo Waite, Ralph Wackman, Milo Hopkins, Frank Boyce, Harvey Peterson, Phillip Johnson, Paul Roberts, and Phillip Wackman.
John Getts resigned his position as the train depot baggageman. John Gilbert will take his place.
W. Hayes advertised that he makes coats and robes out of horse or cow hides and now has several in stock for sale.
Local grocers in Oregon received a visit and instructions from the county food administration concerning food rationing and operating their businesses during war time. Instructions included that at least five cents extra be accessed on all deliveries of goods. Where the goods were charged an added three percent was to be added to the amount due. A listing of prices to be charged for many staple foods taken ”cash and carry” were listed in the instructions, i.e., eggs .47 to .49 cents; potatoes, $1.30 to $1.45; tomatoes (no.2 cans) 14 to 18 cents, etc. The amount of the item was not always given but was probably sold by weight or number.
The school changes its time due to a coal shortage. As of January 17th school will start classes at 8 a.m. instead of 9 a. m. and run until 1:15 p.m. The change will lengthen the coal supply materially. Failure to make this change could cause the schools to shut down by March.
The annual meeting of the stockholders of the First National Bank was held. The following directors and officers were elected: J. J. Lindsay, Phil O’Brien, A. H. Sholts (president), H. A. Stone, (vice-president) W. A. Sholts, Edward Nangle, C.N. Brown, R. C. Tipple, and C. N. Shilton (cashier).
It was noted in the Oregon Observer that the new Dane County Anti-Tuberculosis Sanatorium had opened. The $30,000 institution was funded in part from a gift by Dr. Charles H.Vilas. It is caring for only two people, but there are hopes to care for as many as 35 by February. It will only care for patients who have a fair chance of recovery.
Dane County led the state in 1917 in the number of acres of tobacco grown. Tobacco was grown in 32 of the state counties, Dane County had 22,990 acres.
A heavy snowstorm hit the Oregon area: The snow fall was less than two feet deep, however the wind drifted it, blocking roads and railroads all over the state. Several of the deep cuts through hills were filled to the top and teams had to go though the fields. Many country roads were completely filled from fence to fence with snow five feet deep. The railroad traffic was tied up for 48 hours and no mail was received at the postoffice between Friday night and Monday afternoon. Coming at a time of a fuel shortage, it caused serious hardships for many.
50 yrs. ago (1968)
Mr. and Mrs. Gerald Hogan announced that they had sold the Gamble Store that they have operated at 123 South Main St. for the past sixteen years, to George Hecox, owner and operator of Oregon TV Sales and Service.
Oregon School Superintendent, E. A. Kozlovsky announced his intention to retire after the current school year. He had been with the school district for the past 41 years; 32 years as superintendent.
Superintendent of Public Works, Syl Farris, informed the Village Board that constructors were about ready to start construction on the addition to the sewer plant which is to be completed by mid-May. He also reported that the well on the northeast side is ready for operation as soon as the automatic electric controls are installed.
Rollie Indermuehle is named the new Bowman All-Star distributor in the Oregon and Brooklyn area.
Brooklyn State Bank advertised that a 5-piece stainless steel place setting could be yours for opening a savings account or making an additional deposit to an existing account of $25.00 or more. Additional settings and/or side pieces were available for $2.50 each when making an additional deposit of $25.00 or more.
OHS wrestler, Doug Strander, set a school record in the 120 pound class when he pinned his opponent in 16 seconds. Wrestling coach, John Bauman, expressed the opinion that it may have set a new U.S. record for that class.
The top OHS basketball scorers during two recent games against DeForest and Marshall were Tom Appel ,19 points each night; Bob Maier, 9 and 16 points; Craig Smith, 10 and13 points and Nick Brashi 12 and 6 points. They lost to DeForest 77-61 but won their game against. Marshall, 60-55. The team went on to beat Milton Union 64-60 and league leading Lake Mills, 74-61. The leading scorer in the Lake Mills game was Steve Blahnik with 23 points.
The Village purchased a new squad car from Lappley Chevrolet. Oregon had three full-time officers: Joe Lockwood (chief), Leo White, and Bill Newton. Part-time officers were Don Bunnnell, Erwin Olson, and Jay Bossingham.
Don Fritz, owner and operator of Kleen-Brite Cleaners at 786 North Main Street is the Oregon chairperson for the March of Dimes Campaign. The goal is to contact every household in the village during the last week in January.
The district school board authorized the rental of a driving simulator for the driver education class to be used in lieu of part of the behind-the-wheel training.
25 yrs. ago (1993)
The Chamber of Commerce selects three new directors: Julia Pankow-Heilland (Curative Marketing Specialists); Astrid Rolfe ( Valley Bank); and Debbie Verhelst (Martin Verhelst. CPA).
The Cottage Grove-Oregon Mutual Insurance Co. merged with the Middleton Insurance Co. Some of the board members of the merged company from the Oregon area were Robert Doerfer, Jerry Jensen, Roger Symdon, and Phil Peterson. The merged company will do business as The Middleton Insurance Co. Prior to the merger The Cottage-Grove Insurance Co, had 675 policyholders. With the merger there will be nearly 3,000 policyholders.
On December 31,1992, Carolyn Bunnell and Virginia Neath retired from Wisco Industries. Carolyn started her employment on July 30, 1955 and Virginia on June 6, 1953. In 1978 Virginia became the first female supervisor.
The new Oregon Middle School opens for classes.
People line up at the Post Office service window to purchase the new 29 cent commemorative stamp of “The King” (Elvis Presley). Oregon’s first customer purchasing the stamp was Joyce Owens.
OHS hosted the 6th Annual Midwest Choral Festival sponsored by Oregon Choral Boosters and Ward Brodt Music. The featured guest clinician this year was Don Neuen of the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, N. Y. Proceeds from the concert went to the Oregon Choral Boosters to help fund educational experiences for vocal music students and the proceeds from food sales went to benefit the Ronald McDonald House in Madison. The featured choirs performing were the Slinger High School Choir under the direction of Michael Skaar; the Oregon Concert Choir under the direction of Tom Mileke and special guest, the Madison Chamber Choir under the direction of Joseph Brachmann.
The OHS varsity wrestlers took second place at the Jefferson Invitational. Members of the team were Karsten Splide, Chris Meier, Doug Wanless, Travis Powers, Ryan Glassmaker, Ryan Kjellstrom, Travis Hynes, Brek Burgweger, Vance Lester, Dan Dent, Jason, Kruger, Brian Connery, Cory Manix and Jeff Heller.
A Hardee’s Restaurant is coming to Oregon and expects to be open in May.. It will be located on North Main Street across the street from Bill’s Supermarket.
10 yrs. ago (2008)
A Stoughton Hospital Urgent Care Center will be opens at 990 Janesville Street. The facility will be shared with the Rehabilitation and Sports Sports Medicine Clinic that had formerly been located at 106 Main Street.
Steve and Kate Engstrom opened Primo’s Restaurant in the Oregon Shopping Center at 787 North Main Street. Their specialty was slow-roasted, seasoned meats, especially prepared for their gyro sandwiches..
A historic barn was moved from the village’s west side to a location on Fish Hatchery Road. The former owner, Jim Weber, sold the barn to Paul Morrison, who had it moved to his property. He plans to use it as a showroom for his business, Wood Cycle of Wisconsin.
The Trachte Company looks in the near future to build a 42,000 square foot assembly plant on Cusick Parkway in the Alpine Business Park.
Anytime Fitness, a gym for fitness and exercise activities, expects to open soon at a Market Street location. Brothers Mike and Marc Schmaltz are the owners. The manager will be Matt Olinger.
The Oregon and Middleton school districts were selected to pilot a program to reduce truancy and crime rates for area teens while increasing high school graduation rates. Organizing the program is the Delegation on Disconnected and Violent Youth.
The new cart system of collecting garbage and recyclables was off to good start.. The new system replaced the per trash bag sticker system.
The OHS wrestling team won the Racine Case Invitational team title. The four Oregon individual championship winners were David Beers, Doug Stetzer, Ryan Haas-Denton, and Joe Stetzer.
Three Oregon eighth graders, Cody Waters, Sami Elmer, and Belle Stein, were three of 150 students who were selected from all of the state school districts to perform with the All-State Choir at the Wisconsin Choral Directors Association Convention in Madison. OHS Junior, Zach Prior, was selected for the WCDA men’s honors choir which also performed at the convention.