Oregon History Timeline for October 2016
1916 (100 years ago)
J.F. Jensen is tearing down his old veterinary barn. He plans to erect a new building that will be used for a blacksmith shop.
Fincher Bros. & Green sold their garage and accessories to Wesley Custer and Arthur Hansen. The new owners plan to enlarge the garage and add another story to it. Fincher Bros. will retain their agency for Ford cars.
Hughes & Wishhoff advertised that they now have booths in the back of the store where customers can listen to the the most recent Victoria records without being disturbed by other customers.
It was reported that nearly all the work on the electric light plant is complete. Two large oil driven engines arrived and were unloaded. Nearly all the poles had been put inplace
C.H. Wackman is offering the new styles of Hart, Schaffner & Marx suits for $20.00 to $22.50 and up. Other suits may be had for $10.00 to $15.00
A letter from Glenn Gray, a former Oregon resident, to J. J. Lindsay was forwarded to the Observer. Glenn related how the U. S. Troops arrived in Austin, Texas and told of his chance to visit with a couple of his Wisconsin friends, Harry Gorman and Bill Hogan, both of G Company. Supporting the troops, the ladies of Austin had made 1500 cakes for the troops. Glenn delivered nine of the cakes to Company G. for their Sunday Dinner. The troop parade, passing by his home, was fourteen miles long and took four hours and 15 minutes. He and his family and friends waved their support with banners as the Wisconsin troops passed. Seeing the banners the bands strike up “On Wisconsin”.
U.S. Senator, Robert M. LaFollette, addressed about 150 voters at the opera house. His arrival was delayed for more than an hour because of the bad roads between here and Stoughton. After being introduced by A. H. Sholts, he spoke for an hour and a half concerning state commissions and how they provided a better and cheaper form of government.
The First National Bank of Oregon is again awarding prizes for the best in home grown products. Professor James G. Moore from the U. W. Madison, Agricultural College made the following awards. John Friday (best exhibit of apples); H. A. Stone (second on apple exhibit); Mrs. George Haynes (third on apple exhibit); Martin Nelson (best early potatoes); Mrs. H. H. Reindahl (best late potatoes); W. L. Ames (best sweet corn); Marwell Gefke (best popcorn); Frances Conahan (best pumpkin); Luther Pasley (best hubbard squash); John Friday (best table beets); John Friday (best curio or relic).
1966 (50 years ago)
The local United Fund Drive gets on its way. Mrs. William Kenney, President of the Oregon Woman’s Club, is in charge of the door-to-door campaign in the Village. Mrs. Paul Kuehni is the area chairperson of the campaign. Others helping with the drive were Earl Lawson, (school and village government; Mrs. Ray Ellis and Jack Statz (the school division); and Ivan Christensen (village government and employees division).
The Bank of Oregon opened a new walk-up teller window on the southeast corner of their bank building at 101 North Main Street. It was open from 8:00 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. and from 3:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.—times when the main lobby was closed.
It was announced that the office of the village clerk has been moved from the lower level of the Village Hall to the upper level across from the library. The change was made possible because the school will no longer be renting the room for classes.
The School PTA named new officers for the coming year: Dr. and Mrs. Lee Kennan (co-presidents for the 1966-67 year); Mrs. Don Staley (vice-president); Mrs. William Stoneman secretary); Jack Jallings (treasurer); Noel Halverson and Ron Kneebone (co-chairpersons for the PTA Fun Nite); Mrs. Ron Kneebone (hospitality chairperson); and Mrs. George Wiley (membership chairperson).
Lappley Chevrolet Co. (current Tri-County building) announced they had created a door in the rear of the building, providing for better movement of vehicles in and out of the facility.
George Hecox, owner of Oregon TV (former building just south of The Firefly) changed the facade and expanded the display area of his business.
Gary Landsness and Bob Johnson of the State Highway Dept., speaking at a board meeting of the Oregon Chamber of Commerce, confirmed that plans were proceeding for the building of a new 4-lane freeway between Madison and Oregon. This coming year will be taken up acquiring 50 parcels of right-of-ways.
OHS Homecoming King was Dennis Johnson and Queen, Diane Pernot. Others on the Homecoming Court were Patty Dukerschein, Judy Sticklestad, Susan Lythjohan, Patricia Jori, John Mihlbauer, Tom Olson, Ed Lemke and Steve Lawry.
1991 (25 years ago)
The theme for Homecoming was “Unforgettable”. Throughout the Homecoming Week students were encouraged to show their class spirit by coming to school dressed as a twin on Tuesday; dressing up on Wednesday, dressing for a picnic day at the beach on Thursday and dressing in orange and black on Friday. At the end of the week the homeroom teachers were to determine by the number of students participating which homeroom had the most spirit. Other activities showing their “spirit” included a food drive for the local food pantry and sending a special Orange Carnation to a friend, teacher or parent just to say “you are special” or “thank you”.
Members of the Homecoming Court were Trinity Mellon and Tanya Gnewuch (freshmen); Paul Robman and Connie O’Brien (sophomores); Pat Ackerman and Jessia Werth (juniors); and Michelle Northrop (queen), Joel Dettwiler (king), Randy Conklin, Emily Hofmeiser, Paul Benedict, Tina Giese, Jeremy Simplot, Renee Spencer , Chris Duerk and Julie Garvoillle . (seniors)
This past month the Town of Oregon celebrated their sesquicentennial at Storybrook Farm. Dance music was provided by fiddler, John Dremsa, accordionist Sara Orvick, and guitar player Hans Verick. Town Supervisor, Dan Schultz, remarked about the Town’s history and Caryl Farrell had copies available of a booklet she had edited and published about the town’s history.
Lyle and Ann Wanless of Brooklyn announced that they have started a new business, Town and Country Auction Services.
It was announced that Pleasant Oak Drive will be extended to County Rd. M. to accommodate the new school.
Local FFA students attended the FFA Leadership Workshop at Clinton H.S. Those attending were Mike Brown, Todd Staffon, Dana Marshall, Jackie Grassel,Chris Meier, Mike Parkin, Jodi Klizman, Steve Dunn, Cathy Gustrowksy, and Brenda Baverstock.
The Oregon Fire Department purchased a new tanker truck for $71,500. It is capable of transporting over 1800 gallons of water to a fire site. Shown with the new truck were Fire Dept. Chief, Dick Andersen, and fire fighters Rick Kramer, Bob Fluckiger, Gene Kluever, and Chester Nelson.
The 20 year old press box overlooking the OHS football field burnt down. The damage were estimated at $25,000.
OHS senior, co-captain, Scott Slater, freshman, Meghan Werth and junior, Megan Staton earned All-Conference honors by placing in the top eight at the Badger Conference Cross Country Championship competition.
Wayne Erickson, owner of Slinger Speedway in Slinger Wis. took over the ownership of Impact Speedway in the Town of Rutland.
2006 (10 years ago)
Maggie Schmelzer, Oregon Youth Center board president reports that the center has had a successful year. Attendance was up, the staffing has doubled and the Village of Oregon has negotiated a rent-free agreement to keep the center for another year at its current location, the old Oregon Fire/EMA garage. She credits much of the center’s success to the center’s director, Brenda McCellan. The center was started in the year 2000.
The Firefly Coffeehouse was sold by its owner, Gail Henslin, to Erika and Mike Weidler. Gail had run the business for the past 2 years, 7 months.
Oregon Pharmacy changes it name and operations to Oregon Home Town Pharmacy; enabling them to expand customer services.
Local volunteers help build the Bergamont/Alpine neighborhood park. Chuck Soule organized a volunteer crew to help create the design of the new playground. The residents held a grand opening and ribbon cutting for the playground on October 4th.
The new sports arena is still in the planning stages, as the fund raising efforts continue The promoters are working toward a groundbreaking date for the start of construction.
Four local churches sponsored a forum at the First Presbyterian Church to discuss the proposed amendment to the state constitution that would ban same-sex marriages and civil unions.
The OHS Boy’s Cross Country teams take first in the WIAA Division 1 Sectional, advancing them to the state tournament.
Cusick Parkway, gateway to the new Alpine Business Park, is being developed with the expectation that it will be completed by year-end.