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Welcome to our historical timeline of past events. Here we will share tidbits of news that happened 25, 50 and 75 years ago in the Oregon area.
September 2024 Timeline
75 Years Ago - September 1949
Local News
Oregon to have new Super Market
F.E. Madsen has had Lawrence Schneider’s power shovel clearing away the debris and excavating at the old opera house site on Main Street and will erect a building which will house a modern supermarket. Mr. Madsen will also move his clothing store into part of the building. The building will be built of cinder-cement block with brick front, one story, and will cover the entire former opera house site.
$25,000 Fire on the James Clayton Farm
Late Thursday afternoon fire destroyed the large 40×80 ft barn on the James Clayton farm on highway 14 near the Nine Springs hill. The loss also included a cow, a calf, a large quantity of baled hay and some household furniture which was stored inside the barn. The loss is estimated at $25,000. About $600 worth of the baled hay was owned by Edwin Blaney and the balance, valued at $1400 was owned by Mr. Clayton, who also owned the cow and calf lost in the fire. The furniture which was stored in the barn was owned by Mrs. Marie Chandler, as sister of Mrs. Clayton.
Chief Joseph Stormer of the town of Madison fire department, it is reported, said the blaze apparently started from spontaneous combustion in the freshly baled hay.
The fire was discovered about 3:30 p.m. by Mrs. Mark Smith, who lives with her husband and three small children in a home about 20 feet from the Clayton barn. She braved the flames and rescued two cows but was unable to lead the others to safety.
School Notes
F.F.A Potato Project
The Oregon F.F. A had a potato show last Wednesday afternoon. The show was planned by the sophomore group of boys.
The boys raised the potatoes as F.F.A. projects of 1949. The certified seed was secured last spring by the F.F.A. The judges for the show were Arthur Ames, judging from the housewife’s standpoint, and John Struck who judged the potatoes for seed. Some of the outstanding results for the show were:
- Meron Newton received a first prize for the largest sweet potato.
- John Swenson received a first for best sample of early potatoes.
- Carl Smith received a first for best sample of late potatoes.
“Buddy” Sholts who raised over a ton of potatoes, was almost too successful. His potatoes were just too big to receive a prize. If you do not believe it, go and look in Art Ames’s store window. A sample of Buddy’s potatoes are there on display.
New School Law May Be Interesting
With the new school year beginning, it may be interesting to some or all parents how the transportation law passed by the last legislature will affect them as parents as well as taxpayers.
The new law reads in part as follows: The school board of school districts operating public elementary schools or public health schools SHALL provide transportation to and from school for all pupils residing in the district and over two miles from the nearest public school they may attend.
Random Shots
The cost of living is so high that even the boss knows what we mean when we mention it as one of the reasons we need a raise. It takes a five dollar bill to do at the grocery store what a dollar once did easily.
While our diplomats keep referring to this as a peace-loving nation, we are today paying pensions for four wars.
50 Years Ago: September 1974
COMMUNITY/BUSINESS NEWS
Organization of New Bank in Oregon gets Federal Approval
The organization of the new Community National Bank, to be located at 733 North Main Street, has been authorized by the Comptroller of the Currency, according to an announcement this week. It is anticipated that the new bank will commence operations prior to April 1, 1975, and will engage in the general business of banking. It is the intention of the bank to construct its own banking facility that will include adequate parking and drive-up banking services. The board of directors, presently consisting of the five organizers, Donald J. Doyle, Paul Kohlman, Erwin Sholts, George Fait, and Ray Tomlinson, will be expanded to nine members.
Concern with Jefferson Street Viaduct
Several mothers of children living west of the Jefferson Street viaduct appeared at a Village Board meeting to express their concerns for the safety of children walking through the viaduct on their way to school. Poor visibility exists for both drivers and pedestrians. There is no sidewalk on the north side of the tunnel and the walk on the south side is very hazardous due to the narrowness of the viaduct. The Board advised the mothers that thought was given to installation of a separate tunnel for a walkway.
However, with the County plans for a possible relocation of Hwy CC as well as the high cost of such a project, they decided to investigate other ways to solve the problem. The Village attorney was directed to contact the county highway department about installing stop signs on both sides of the viaduct to slow down the traffic.
Lappley Chevrolet Open House to Feature new 1975 Models
The 1975 Chevrolet Caprice will be one of the featured models at the Open House to be held on Thursday night (Sept. 26) and all day on Friday (Sept. 27). Everyone is invited to drop in and see the new models with many new innovations and featuring the revolutionary new catalytic converter. The catalytic converter is designed to remove the two pollutants in automotive exhaust gas.
Oregon Bowl announces league openings
The newly remodeled Oregon Bowl announced openings are available for Couples and Men’s Handicap Leagues. They also announced the Oregon Bowl will be open at 1 p.m. daily for anyone who wishes to come in and practice before league bowling hours.
OREGON SCHOOL NEWS
Homecoming News
Held earlier than usual this year, the traditional Homecoming events to be held on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday – September 19, 20 and 21 – start with a pep rally held at the high school. The big parade will start at 2:30 p.m. on Friday. The big game with Clinton Friday night together with the colorful halftime activities and a “record-hop” afterwards fills out the day’s events. Saturday night features a semi-formal dance.
Downtown stores are being decorated by the students and the whole community is getting ready for a big weekend.
Homecoming Events Winners
Winners of the big Homecoming Parade Floats:
- First Place – Junior Class Float
- Second Place – Pom Pon Girls Float
- Third Place (Tie) – FHA Float and Senior Class Float
Winners of the Window Displays (Best Slogan):
- First Place- Wisconsin Power & Light (Junior High)
- Second Place-Bon Don (Senior High)
- Third Place-Lappley Chevrolet (Senior High)
- Honorable Mention– Bergey Jewelry (Senior High)
Winners of the Window Displays (Artwork on Window Displays):
- First Place – Mandt’s Texaco (Junior High)
- Second Place-Home Café (Senior High)
- Third Place- Home of Home Fashions (Junior High)
- Honorable Mention– R and L Beverage (Senior High)
Winners of the skits presented during the pep rally:
- First Place – Junior Class
- Second Place-Freshman Class
- Third Place- Sophomore Class
Homecoming Court of Honor:
- Freshman Class Representative – Terri Brown, escorted by Charlie Fuller
- Sophomore Class Representative-Tami Behnke, escorted by Jim Olson
- Junior Class Representative and Homecoming Queen – Cathy Smith, escorted by Homecoming King, Dennis Christenson.
- Senior Class Representative – Brenda Tresch, escorted by Mitch Peterson
Homecoming Football Game Results
The Oregon Panthers opened their 1974 Conference season Friday night by pounding the Clinton Cougars 36-0! Oregon dominated their Homecoming game all the way, scoring in all but one quarter, while at the same time preventing the Cougars from penetrating any farther than the Panther 11-yard line.
ORGANIZATIONS
Hunter Safety Course
Any boys or girls between the ages of 12 and 16 who are interested in taking the Hunter Safety Course should contact Roger Krueger or be at the Brooklyn Bowhunters Club House on September 9th at 8:00 p.m. The clubhouse is located 6-1/2 miles west of Brooklyn on Highway 92.
Oregon Chamber of Commerce Booster Band
The Oregon Chamber of Commerce Booster Band consists of local musicians playing a variety of musical instruments. The group thoroughly enjoys participating in jam sessions, playing at parades and celebrations, entertaining at hospitals, and in general having a lot of fun while making others happy. Volunteers are always wanted for the Booster Band, so if you can play any type of band instrument, consider joining this happy bunch of “Pied Pipers”.
25 Years Ago: September 1999
Local News
Zimmerlees celebrate 50th anniversary
Dallas and Margie Zimmerlee of Evansville will celebrate their 50th anniversary with an open house from 3 to 8 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 12, at the Stoughton VFW, Stoughton Road in Stoughton. Friends and relatives are invited. The couple requests no gifts please.
Dallas and Marjorie were wed Sept. 9, 1949, at First Presbyterian Church, Oregon. Their children are Darlene (Craig) Ringhand, Colorado: Jim, Oregon; Barb Meier, Lake Mills; and Mark, deceased. They have five grandchildren, one step-grandchild and one step-great-granddaughter.
Food Pantry Makes Move
Dorothy Larsen, who will retire from the pantry in October, wraps cheese during the opening of the Oregon Food Pantry at its new location, the corner of Oak and Park streets. Between 150-250 monthly participants will use the facility, which formerly housed the EMS. The building offers less space for distribution, but more space for storage.
19-year veteran crossing guard retires
If it weren’t for health reasons, Millie Schewe would be starting her 20th year as a crossing guard for the Village of Oregon and probably would continue leading children across Oak Street at Nygaard Street for another 20 years.
Schewe turned in her resignation this year but doesn’t want a “big deal” made of her health problems.
“I will miss the whole job”, said Schewe this week at her home on Prairie View Street.
She added that this includes “the children, the parents, and their smiles.” For 19 years, Schewe has tied boots and scarves, zipped up coats and wiped noses for children. She let them warm up in the little corner shed built by the Rotary Club at the insistence of neighbor Harvey Bronson during her second year.
Each school day, she slipped on her watch for up to four treks up the block to her guard post, between morning arrival, morning kindergarten, dismissal, afternoon kindergarten arrival and afternoon dismissal. Schewe led as many as 32 elementary students across the street.
Schewe made a faithful effort to learn each child’s name. “You try to learn all their names, so you can call them if they run out in front of a car”, she said, noting that she only had to pull one child back to the curb.
She also handed out candy bars at Christmas time and every Christmas she hangs ornaments she’s received as gifts from “her kids”
Before the middle school students moved out of the area, Schewe helped students from kindergarten to eighth grade.
Village of Oregon Police will be presenting Schewe with a plaque for her years of service, but the only gift she really wants are prayers. “Just wish me well and pray,” she said adding, “you can give me a call and see if I need anything.”
Street Talk – If you were in the fifth-grade class that had to move to a new grade 5-6 school, how would you feel?
Alex Amend, Brooklyn grade 5 – I would feel sad, I would miss my friends and my mom; she works here (Brooklyn Elementary School).
Dylan Melahn, Brooklyn grade 5 – I would be mad; I’d miss my friends.
Jon Sunderlage, Brooklyn grade 5 – I’d probably feel just the same
Krissy Hans, Brooklyn grade 5 – I’d be happy because I’d be moving on. It wouldn’t really matter if we were in another school.
Travis Stenli, Brooklyn grade 5- I’d be happy. I’d make new friends.
Kenicia McKinney, Brooklyn grade 4 – I would probably really miss this school. It’s pretty nice, if you’ve been here since kindergarten, you might really miss it.