Homer Davenport Community Festival 2016

H

H H H

Homer Davenport

Community Festival August 5-7

2016

Pedal Pow

er!

Li ve M usic C r af ts Fair F o od Court H S al o o n P a r ade H Dave npo rt Ra c e s C r u is e-I n H F un Run Li on’s B r eakfast H Hist o r y a n d M uc h Mo re!

ff

Aug. 4 Kick-O

Beth Willis Rock Band

THANK YOU to our sponsors!

CONTENTS

ANALENE WATERMAN INSURANCE AGENCY

Introduction..................................... 3 Events & Entertainment........................4

Local History & Heritage Events..........6

Park Map................................................7 Hometown Parade....................................8 Shuttle Info...........................................9

Community Map...............................10 Davenport Races..................................... 11 Homer Classic Fun Run......................... 11

T.T. Geer: Homer’s Cousin................12 Wonders of Silverton Country.............14

Festival Committee Darin Rybloom

Treasurer, Parade & Food Court

Gus Frederick

Printing

Dennis Sherwood

Davenport Races Tonya Rue

Craft Fair Booths

General Members

Mt. Angel Publishing, Inc.

m

i

Glen Damewood

An

Entertainment

Gordon Goschie Rick Schmidt Ken Hector Julie Hannan-Palmer

ver Cree il

k

Kyle Palmer

Cindy Jones, Janet Dalisky, Denis Dalisky

COMMUNITY NEWS

C.

Vice President

Promotion

al

C li n i

p.

Richard Carlson

S

President

c

Produced locally by Mt. Angel Publishing, Inc. 401 Oak St. Silverton, 97381 503-845-9499 www.mtangelpub.com

Project Manager & Designer: Tavis Bettoli-Lotten Advertising: Jim Kinghorn • Publisher: Paula Mabry Office Manager: Deede Williams 2 • HOMER DAVENPORT COMMUNITY FESTIVAL

•

www.HomerDavenport.com

Welcome to the Homer Davenport Community Festival!

Homer Davenport activities have been the primary summer festival in Silverton since 1980, providing family fun and entertainment to the local area.

There is nothing more important to the success of the Festival than the generosity of the many sponsors that step forward each year in support. HDCF is committed to putting on a world class Home-Town Summer Festival. We have everything you would expect, including a Parade, Arts & Crafts, Food Court, Live Music and more.

In celebrating the life and times of our favorite son, political cartoonist Homer C. Davenport, we also have several features not usually seen in a summer festival: a strong focus on our heritage and history.

Our goal from day one is to put back into our community, and the continued success of the Festival means that we are able to do just that. This publication will provide you with a brief overview of HDCF, the unique town of Silverton and of course our diverse mix of citizens, that honors the man who never forgot his hometown during his too short, yet incredible career.

– Festival Board of Directors

Jim Kinghorn

www.HomerDavenport.com

•

Homer Davenport, Late of Silverton

By Gus Frederick

Silverton Country Historical Society

The latter part of the 19th century saw the rise of two modern institutions we all can recognize today: machine politics and multimedia empires. Both grew and fed off each other during this period of history, and into the middle of this fray was cast an Oregon artist with a photographic memory, small-town demeanor and caustic wit.

Homer Calvin Davenport was born several miles south of Silverton, Oregon, on March 8,1867 to Timothy W. and Florinda Geer Davenport, young Oregon pioneers who had arrived with their parents several years earlier. Both the Geer and Davenport families traveled West across the plains, and included members – most notably Timothy – who’s contributions were instrumental in the growth of the State of Oregon.

Homer’s mother died when he was still a child, but recognized a talent in him beyond his years. Florinda (or Flora) was an avid fan of the illustrated news magazine Harper’s Weekly. She was particularly fond of the political cartoons by the German immigrant Thomas Nast who made his name in part by exposing the corruption of New York City government by way of biting satire. Before she died, Florinda made her husband – Oregon pioneer progressive politician – Timothy promise to nurture Homer’s art.

Contrary to the expectations of the citizens of Silverton, the lazy boy who never worked and spent his days drawing ended up becoming the highest paid political cartoonist in the world. It was the emerging media mogul William Randolph Hearst that recognized and channeled Homer’s talent.

Homer went on to publish two collections of his cartoon work. In the opening years of the Twentieth Century at the behest of Major James Pond – Mark Twain’s manager– he joined the lecture circuit, traveling the world speaking on cartoons, satire and Silverton. Today, he is also known in Arabian Horse circles for the “Davenport Arabians” – descendants of the breeding herd Homer acquired during an expedition to the Syrian desert in 1906 – the subject of his third book, My Quest of the Arabian Horse. His final book, The Country Boy, detailed his boyhood growing up in Silverton.

His last assignment was to illustrate the sinking of the Titanic in 1912.

He caught pneumonia while waiting on the New York City docks for the arrival of the survivors. Despite the best efforts of the five doctors hired by Hearst, Davenport passed away on May 2, 1912. Hearst had Homer’s body returned to his native Silverton for burial, and paid for the elaborate funeral.

HOMER DAVENPORT COMMUNITY FESTIVAL • 3

EVENTS & ENTERTAINMENT at Coolidge-McClaine Park unless noted

4th Annual Homer Davenport Community Festival Kick-Off Party Thursday, Aug. 4 • Coolidge-McClaine Park

cooked to order, pancakes and beverages. $7 for adults, $4 for children.

SUNDAY, AUGUST 7

Silverton Flywheels Classic Car Cruise-In

Lions Club Harvest Breakfast

7 am - 12 pm Park Pavilion See info for Saturday.

The Homer Davenport Community Festival and Wooden Nickel Pubs & Eateries are proud to present The Beth Willis Rock Band.

9 am - afternoon Old Mill Park (behind Library).

Classic cars on display – muscle, trucks, hot rods and more!

Consisting of Beth Willis (vocals and guitar) and Todd Chatalas (lead guitar) the Beth Willis Rock Band pairs catchy musical hooks with concise, intelligent lyrics, which merge together to form a style both distinct and familiar – some critics have dubbed the genre “Instant Classic Rock.”

Hometown Parade

Homer’s Classic 8K & 2K Run/Walk

10 am Downtown Silverton See route map on page 10.

Floats, marching musicians, fun.

9 am Starts at Silverton High School, 1456 Pine St near tennis courts.

See more info on page 11.

Crafts Fair, Food Booths & Homer’s Saloon

Crafts Fair, Food Booths & Homer’s Saloon

11 am - 8 pm

11 am - 6 pm.

The Pioneers’ Children

Barb Rue Memorial Davenport Races

Gates open at 6 pm with beer, wine and food for sale.

FREE!

Crafts Fair, Food Booths & Homer’s Saloon

MAIN STAGE

11 am - 8 pm

The Flextones

Sockeye Sawtooth 3:30 - 5 pm Americana Folk.

Friends of Cousin It 5:30 - 7:00 pm Eclectic.

Sonny Hess

7:30 - 10:00 pm Classic R&B

12 pm Main Street A Silverton tradition... Davenport (sofa) teams race down the street.

Ping Pong Ball Float

2 pm Silver Creek at the Park Purchase a ball to float in a race.

Win prizes! Ball costs $2.

A fundraiser for Silverton Health Auxiliary and Auxiliary scholarships.

MAIN STAGE

12:30 - 2:00 pm Infectious Groove.

First Friday

MAIN STAGE

Who the Heck is Homer?

1:30 & 3:00 pm Silver Falls Public Library A visual overview of Homer Davenport presented by local historian Gus Frederick.

FRIDAY, AUGUST 5

7 - 9 pm Downtown Silverton Galleries & shops open late, plus classic cars on Main St.

12 pm • Palace Theatre 30 min. documentary telling the story of how Homer Davenport & the Geer family shaped Oregon history.

Christopher Lute & Friends

Twisted Whistle

2:30 - 4:00 pm NewTimeAmerRockanaGrass.

12:30 - 2:30 pm Folk-Punk-Funk-Country.

Syco Billy’s

SATURDAY, AUGUST 6 Lions Club Harvest Breakfast

7 am - 12 pm Park Pavilion Silverton Lions Club and Boy Scout Troop 485 serve ham, eggs

4:30 - 6 pm Abiqua Eclectic.

Garry Meziere & Friends

7 - 9 pm Classic R&B.

4 • HOMER DAVENPORT COMMUNITY FESTIVAL

•

Renee Hill Band 3 - 6 pm R&B / Country

www.HomerDavenport.com

www.HomerDavenport.com

•

HOMER DAVENPORT COMMUNITY FESTIVAL • 5

Who the Heck is Homer?

A Lecture at the Library Silver Falls Public Library, in association with The Davenport Project will be featuring a presentation Saturday, Aug. 6 at 1:30 pm and again at 3:00 pm on the life and times of Oregon’s first media super star, political cartoonist Homer Davenport. The talk will be held in the Silver Falls Library located at 410 South Water Street in Silverton.

In the decade of the 1890s, just before the dawn of a new century, American society was going through a transition; from the gilded age of robber barons and monopolistic trusts, into the progressive era, a time known for great social reforms.

From horses and trains to automobiles and airplanes. Change was everywhere.

Through it all, Silverton, Oregon cartoonist Homer Davenport was there, wielding his pen to spray a steady stream of caustic caricatures onto the notables and notorious of the global political scene. But who the heck was Homer Davenport?

Homer Davenport (1867-1912) was Oregon’s first media super-star. Yet, few outside his hometown are even aware of the impact this self-described “country boy” had on society. His unique rural Oregon upbringing, along with a supportive and nurturing home life, equipped Davenport with the intellectual tools and the artistic skills needed to hit the ground running.

He arrived on the scene during a perfect storm of technology and public sentiment.

For this presentation, Davenport historian Gus Frederick will present a visual overview of Davenport’s art, life and times. Frederick is the author of the 2012 annotated edition of Davenport’s 1898 collection of cartoons, as well as Silverton from Arcadia Publishing’s “Images of America” series. He also recently published a collection of social commentaries written by Homer’s father, pioneer Oregon Politician Timothy W. Davenport, also known as “The Sage of Silverton.” He is currently working on a video documentary of Davenport’s life and times.

An Old Fashion Dime Toss!

The Silverton Country Historical Society Dime Toss booth at the park is a popular stopping place with the children as well as their parents and grandparents. It’s a challenge to toss your dimes at a funny coffee cup, an outstanding flower vase or a pottery piece you’d love to have. Step right up – kids get to stand on a stool – to the counter, and for a dollar you get a paper cup of dimes in return. Then have at it!

It’s great fun. Funds raised at the Dime Toss go to the Silverton Country Historical Society. Recent projects include new signage for the aerial observation post located in the front yard of the museum.

The Silverton Country Museum is located at 428 South Water St. It will be open during the festival.

Its regular hours are Saturdays & Sundays, 1 to 4 pm.

More info: www.silvertonmuseum.com

GeerCrest Farm GeerCrest Farm was founded in 1848 by Ralph & Mary Geer, Homer Davenport’s maternal grandparents. The original homestead is still in the family and it is still a functioning, multigenerational farm.

As a “living classroom,” GeerCrest Farm offers farm-life experience programs and camps for schools and families throughout the year. More information is available at www.geercrest.org.

TEST YOUR HOMER TRIVIA Homer used cultural characters like Uncle Sam in his political cartoons. What did the Tammany Tiger represent?

Hint: Tammany Hall was an important political building in New York. Answer on page 14.

6 • HOMER DAVENPORT COMMUNITY FESTIVAL

•

www.HomerDavenport.com

CHARLES STREET PARKING

SHUTTLE

CHILDREN’S AREA

RESTROOMS

ATM

PLAYGROUND

INFO

FIRST AID

$

CRAFT FAIR OPEN FRIDAY 11 - 8 pm SATURDAY 11 am - 8 pm SUNDAY 11 am - 6 pm

F OOD C OURT & DINING AR EA

DUNK TANK

OPEN FRIDAY & SATURDAY 11 am - 8 pm • SUNDAY 11 am - 6 pm

N

BORLAND GALLERY

R ID E S & A C T IV IT IE S

PARK HOUSE

DAVENPORT LOUNGE (Mini-Beer Garden)

PAVILION

(Lions Club Bkfast Sat & Sun)

Festival Grounds at CoolidgeMcClaine Park 303 Coolidge St., Silverton

SALOON (BEER GARDEN)

TO SILVER CREEK & OLD MILL PARK, LIBRARY, HISTORICAL MUSEUM FLYWHEELS CLASSIC CAR CRUISE-IN ON SATURDAY

MAIN STAGE www.HomerDavenport.com

•

Photos by Jim Kinghorn

HOMER DAVENPORT COMMUNITY FESTIVAL • 7

Silverton’s own Hometown Parade Few events at Homer Davenport Community Festival attract more visitors than the annual parade, which streams through town on Saturday morning, beginning at 10:00 am. The kickoff to the festival’s busiest day averages over 100 entries and takes about two hours to run its course.

SHOP DIN E S TA Y P LA Y

Scan for More Info

LIV E

The parade begins at the old Silverton High School (soon to be Silverton Middle School) parking lot on Schlador Street, and heads down Water Street straight for the center of historic Silverton, passing by thousands of spectators as it cuts through the middle of the downtown before heading down First Street.

Visitor Center: 426 S. Water St. 503-873-5615 silvertonchamber.org Jim Kinghorn

While everyone is invited to participate in the parade, the spotlight is on businesses and organizations that populate the local area.

Crowd pleasers include traveling “novelty” groups, antique vehicles, and animals. The theme for 2016 will be “Pedal Power: Honoring Silverton’s Biking Heritage and Future.” We will be encouraging the bikes and bicycle groups in the parade. Parade entries are judged (unless participants wish not to be), in multiple categories.

Steve Beckner

8 • HOMER DAVENPORT COMMUNITY FESTIVAL

•

www.HomerDavenport.com

Come to the 68th Annual

SILVERTON LIONS CLUB

HARVEST BREAKFAST Saturday & Sunday August 6 & 7

Festival Shuttle Park and Ride to the Festival! Free parking in the Eugene Field field off of “A” Street. The Trolley shuttle runs every 15 minutes, and is FREE FOR ALL, with a shaded cover and chairs at the waiting area on “A” Street next to the school.

During the Homer Davenport Community Festival

7:00am – Noon

in Coolidge-McClaine Park • Silverton

Trolley leaves Eugene Field West on A, South on Water Street, right at Main over bridge, left on Fiske to the Coolidge-McClaine City Park Gateway for pickup & drop off.

The Trolley proceeds down Coolidge to Main, then over the bridge to First and back to the stop at A Street. It will start running Thursday evening for the Kick-Off Party, and every day after until Sunday at 5:00 pm.

$7.00 adults $4.00 10 and under

Jim Kinghorn

200 E. Main St. Silverton 503-874-4888

TEST YOUR HOMER TRIVIA Which United States president was endorsed by Uncle Sam in a cartoon drawn by Homer, which some say helped swing the vote in his favor?

A bistro-style restaurant. in Historic .

Silverton. proudly. offering a local, seasonal menu.

Hint: Another 20th Century U.S. president has the same last name. Answer on page 14. www.HomerDavenport.com

w w w. G a t h e r. c a f e

•

HOMER DAVENPORT COMMUNITY FESTIVAL • 9

FUN RUN/WALK

SUN. at 9 am

HIGH SCHOOL

Beyond the Park

N

HORSE TRAILER PARKING

Bow Tie Lane

Silverton Middle School 802 SCHLADOR ST.

Schlador Street

STAGING AREA (8:30 am)

214

Brown Street

Other Events in Silverton

PARADE PARTICIPANT PARKING

HOMER CLASSIC

The parade begins Saturday at

Second S

10 a.m. at the old Silverton High

St. and proceeds through town on North Water, Oak

C

Firs

E TTL SHU KUP PIC

Str t

ee

McClai ne Street

t ree

ter

t St

Wa

north of Roth’s.

tr AS

S

concluding near Bow Tie Lane just

eet

e tre

N.

and First streets,

t

treet

802 Schlador

James Street

School campus,

k

Oa

et

Photos by Jim Kinghorn

10 • HOMER DAVENPORT COMMUNITY FESTIVAL

ain

re St

M •

et

e Str

DAVENPORT RACES SUN. at Noon

www.HomerDavenport.com

A Unique Tradition...

There aren’t too many places you can go to watch a couple of davenports race through the center of town, but every Sunday at noon of Homer Davenport Community Festival, the crowds line up along Main Street to do just that! It’s the Barb Rue Memorial Davenport Races!

Although the event may seem whimsical to some, it is in fact a fierce competition, pitting longtime crowd favorites against newcomers who dare to design a better davenport (or couch, or love seat).

Homer ’s Classic Fun Run/Walk A Benefit for Youth Running Programs in Silverton and Mt. Angel Sunday, August 7 at 9 am

Steve Ritchie

Distances 8K Covered Bridge Run 2 Mile Fun Run 2 Mile Walk Jim Kinghorn

One need not build a racing davenport from scratch. The HDCF Race Committee has several “stock” racers ready and willing to carry your brand to the finishline. Sponsor a Racer and have your banner light up the course!

The Davenport Races feature highly competitive classes, “just for fun” classes, and multiple team and gender makeup. There is a “pit” area in order to organize each team, and an announcer to keep the spectators informed about each entry and team.

In 2014, the race was re-named in honor of the late Barb Rue, long-time Race participant and Chairperson.

TEST YOUR HOMER TRIVIA What exotic animal did Homer acquire in Louisiana on his first big newspaper trip, only for it to break in two during a blizzard on the way back?

Hint: It lives in the water and it’s neither mammal nor bird! Answer on page 14.

Age Groups 14-under 35-39 60-64 15-19 40-44 65-69 20-24 45-49 70-74 25-29 50-54 75-79 30-34 55-59 80-up

Course and Other Attractions Scenic, flat and very fast, the 8K course features Gallon House Bridge, the only original covered bridge in Marion County and an Olympic-style finish.

Please Note: The race will begin and end at the new high school at 1456 Pine St. (near the tennis courts). Watermelon slices and other goodies are served at the finish.

Awards Ribbons will be presented to the top 3 runners in each age group category. Ribbons will go to the top 10 runners in the 2 mile run. The overall male and female winners and master winners will receive trophies. All runners are eligible for great local prizes – drawing winners posted after the run.

Entries and How to Register Early registration (postmarked by Aug. 3 or online by noon Aug. 6) $28.00 with Technical T-shirt $15.00 without T-shirt Day of race (7:15am-8:45am) $20.00 without T-shirts +$15.00 for Technical T-shirt (if available) Register online at: www.racenorthwest.com Questions? Contact Steve Ritchie at 503-845-1801.

www.HomerDavenport.com • HOMER DAVENPORT COMMUNITY FESTIVAL • 11

Pedal Power: Homer’s Cousin T.T. Geer

By Gus Frederick

Open 7 days a week year-round!

FEATURES:

• Full RV hook-ups

• No-license fishing ponds • Conference & banquet facilities

Come visit us for:

Vacation getaways • Family reunions Group gatherings • Business conferences

503-873-2020

12622 Silverton Road, Silverton

www.silverspurrvpark.com

Theodore Thurston Geer (March 12, 1851 – February 21, 1924) was the tenth Governor of Oregon, serving from January 9, 1899 to January 14, 1903.

The Republican politician was in office when the legislature adopted the “Oregon System,” Oregon’s system of initiative and referendum.

He also served in the Oregon House of Representatives, including time as its Speaker. In 1880, Geer was elected to the Oregon Legislative Assembly, representing Marion County in the House of Representatives. He returned to the House in 1889, serving through the 1893 legislative session, and serving as Speaker of the House in 1891. He served as a Presidential Elector in 1897.

Theodore Geer was elected as Governor of Oregon in 1898 to replace William Paine Lord.

A Republican governor, he served one term. Geer was the tenth governor since statehood, but the first native Oregonian to hold that position. Geer supported the first amendment to the 1857 Oregon Constitution that instituted the initiative and referendum system of legislation in Oregon. The amendment was passed by the Oregon Legislative Assembly in 1899 and 1901, and approved by the Oregon voters in 1902.

Geer did not win re-nomination for a second term and left the office in 1903.

Geer was known for being an enthusiastic participant in the 1890s bicycle craze, and the governor signed HB 63, the 1901 “bicycle path” bill passed by the State Legislature that was to create a statewide network of bicycle paths. Governor Geer regularly bicycled from his home in Macleay to the Capitol.

The Waldo Hills home of Ralph Carey Geer, an uncle of T. T. Geer and a member of the Oregon Territorial Legislature, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places as the R. C. Geer Farmhouse. It is located

12 • HOMER DAVENPORT COMMUNITY FESTIVAL

•

www.HomerDavenport.com

Excerpts from Oregon House Bill 63...

Oregon’s Bicycle Path Bill Section 1. The county court or board of county commissioners of every county of the state shall, from and after the passage of this act, have power and authority at the option of the county court to build, repair, and maintain paths on either or both sides of all public highways, and within the limits thereof, for the use of pedestrians and bicycles, and to levy, at the same time as other taxes are levied, on or before March 1, 1901, for county purposes, a license tax of one dollar ($1.00) to be paid by any and all persons riding a bicycle in such counties as have exercised the authority above described on said paths as hereinafter provided.

Section 4. The county court or board of county commissioners, by a general order entered upon its journal, may order a warrant to issue to the sheriff of the county to collect a license tax of $1.00 on all delinquents as shall not have paid said license tax prior to April the first of each year, and under such warrant said sheriff shall have power and authority to seize and sell as upon execution any bicycle for the amount of said license tax, together with costs and expenses of such seizure and sale, or may collect the same out of any property of said delinquent in the same manner as other delinquent taxes are collected.

Section 9. Every bicycle when ridden shall be provided with a bell, and at night with sufficient light to be easily distinguishable. Any person violating the provisions of this section shall be guilty of a misdemeanor, and shall, upon trial and conviction, be fined not less than $5.00, or imprisoned in the county jail not less than three days, or both, in the discretion of the court.

Section 10. As there is now a growing need in the various’ counties of the state for additional means of communication between the homes of the people, this act shall take effect upon its approval by the Governor.

Approved February 25, 1901.

on R. C. Geer’s original Donation Land Claim. For 155 years, Geer ancestors have lived on the same farm.

The farm, known today as GeerCrest, is now run as a teaching farm. The farm is also known as the childhood haunt of Silverton political cartoonist Homer Davenport, whose mother, Florinda, was a member of the Geer family.

Open Monday-Friday 8-6 • Saturday 8-5 24 Hour Emergency Road Service

503-873-2966 911 North First st. silvertoN

Something for Ever yone!

Silverton’s Wildly Unique Boutique Hats • Scarves • Purses • Jewelry Foot Wear • Resort Wear Greeting Cards Gifts for Men & Kids

301 E Main Street 503-874-4401 www.whimsyetc.com

Open 7 Days a Week 10am-6pm

www.HomerDavenport.com • HOMER DAVENPORT COMMUNITY FESTIVAL • 13

Silverton Country

From the edge of Butte Creek down south to Sublimity and west to Howell Prairie... all is Silverton Country. This is the name that the settlers called this part of the Oregon Territory. It’s all about the water here. From the Ice Age glaciers that raked future berry farms millennia ago to the breathtaking waterfalls slowly wearing away ancient basalt lava flows. These ambling streams wind their way to the Pudding River – the spine of this rich and fertile region.

The Molala People and the Pudding River band of the Kalapuya People were the original inhabitants of Silverton Country. History is often complicated by challenging events, despite tranquil surroundings. Oregon Trail settlers developed the American communities that exist to this day.

There has been a constant flow of culture growing and arriving in Silverton Country... from the home-grown artists to the Benedictine monks from Switzerland to the Mexican and Russian communities that call this place home today.

This land is a unique part of Oregon and Western American history. So go exploring! There are countless tales, characters, and sites to discover!

Above: Lower South Falls photographed by Silver Falls’ original advocate... the legendary Silverton photographer June Drake.

Paul Pinson found these Mastodon fossils on his farm just east of Silverton in the mid-20th Century.

Silverton Country Historical Society

Left: 100 years young this year, Gallon House Bridge between Mt. Angel and Silverton is an off-the-beaten path, must-see spot for a drive, bike ride or country walk. Jim Kinghorn REFERENCES Downs, Robert Horace. A History of The Silverton Country.

Portland: The Berncliff Press, 1926.

Frederick, Gus. Images of America: Silverton. Charleston: Arcadia Publishing, 2011.

What other relics of prehistoric Silverton Country await discovery?!

Silverton Country Historical Society

Huntington Chamber of Commerce. “Klamath Trail.” www.visithuntingtonor.org/klamath-trail.html

HOMER TRIVIA ANSWERS PAGE 6: The Tammany Tiger represented the Democrats of Tammany Hall, and was used just as the Elephant stood in for the GOP.

PAGE 9: Uncle Sam endorsed Teddy Roosevelt. Teddy returned the favor by clearing the red-tape when Homer wanted to go into the Syrian desert to acquire Arabian Horses.

PAGE 11: An alligator!

14 • HOMER DAVENPORT COMMUNITY FESTIVAL

•

www.HomerDavenport.com

St. Mary Church

The butte that Mount Angel Abbey sits on was called Topalamahoh by regional tribes and was a significant spiritual site back then too.

The Old Oak that Silverton was built around was cut down in the late 19th Century (its stump is located behind the Historical Society). Silver Falls Timber Company cut down much of the region’s old growth in the early 20th Century. Fortunately, there are some old trees still around, like the Oregon Garden’s 400 yearold oak grove.

A piece of land between Mt. Angel and the Pudding River claimed by settler Bluford Miller featured three prominent earth burial mounds. The largest mound was 30 feet tall and 80 feet in diameter. Sadly the mounds were “cultivated” over 100 years ago.

Gallon House Bridge

Butte Creek Falls

Palace Theatre

Abiqua Falls

History Contacts Silverton Country Historical Society

428 South Water St. Silverton www.silvertonmuseum.com

Silver Falls State Park

Mt. Angel Historical Society www.mtangelhistory.org

Scotts Mills Area Historical Society

For centuries, the Klamath People of southern Oregon traveled northward along the Klamath Trail to trade with other indigenous 210 Grandview Ave. Scotts Mills tribes along the Columbia River. They were friendly with members of the Molala www.scottsmills.org People in the Silverton area. A section of their route was called the Molala Trail, entering into Silverton Country through Waldo Hills (the illustration above is an approximation).

In early 1848, after increasing tensions, a brief yet bloody battle pitted the white settlers against the Molalas and Klamaths. In the end, the Klamaths were sent back to the southern territory.

Original illustrations © 2016 • Copperglance

www.HomerDavenport.com • HOMER DAVENPORT COMMUNITY FESTIVAL • 15

Michael Kim

FAMILY & SPA D ENT DD ISTR S Y

Proud Sponsor of the

HOMER DAVENPORT COMMUNITY FESTIVAL 410 Oak St Silverton 503-873-3530