North Santiam Historical Society

06/18/2026

Early Santiam Canyon Tourism, 1909 Style! 🐴⛰️

Before camp trailers and hiking packs, adventurous travelers gathered in Detroit, boarded pack horses, and headed for Pamelia Lake. Judging by the ties, vests, long skirts, and polished hats, this group may have been among the earliest Santiam Canyon tourists—and they certainly dressed better than most of us do for a trip to the mountains today!

Before highways and recreation vehicles, visitors explored the Mount Jefferson wilderness by horseback. This 1909 photograph shows John Outerson's pack horses and a group from Portland. The pack train likely followed trails up the Breitenbush and Jefferson Park country. Depending on the exact route used, the trip was probably in the range of 18–25 miles one way. Wow!

At the time, Detroit was a railroad town serving loggers, hunters, fishermen, and mountain travelers. Less than a decade later, the Newport-Booker General Merchandise store would open in Old Detroit and become a fixture of the community until the town was relocated for the Detroit Dam.

Photo: Provided by Ernst Lau of Stayton from original 5x7 glass plate negatives taken by M.A. "Gus" Goethe on an excursion in July or August. Go-thee (he pronounced his name in American) was a stone carver by profession and, in 1909, was a shop foreman at Blaesing Granite Co. in Portland, makers of monuments and tombstones. He was also an avid photographer.

06/16/2026

🏔️ Did You Know?

The Newport - Booker General Merchandise opened in Detroit, Oregon, in 1918 and remained a fixture of the community until the original town of Detroit was flooded by the creation of Detroit Lake more than 30 years later.

As reported by Mrs. Roy Newport to Rilla Shaffer, per a Timeline of the North Santiam Canyon.

📷 Pictured: Newport-Booker General Merchandise, Detroit, Oregon.

06/16/2026

06/09/2026

Save the date! Learn the beginnings of Silverton High’s Voc-Ag program! Looks like another stellar event at the Brown House Event Center!

We're on a roll! The first four Talks have been packed, so don't be surprised if this one is too! And don't even think about showing up in July, we're taking a Summerfest break. See you in August!

06/03/2026

🚲 World Bicycle Day 🚲

Bobby Hill, son of DB and Lola Hill, happily poses with his bike.

Is there anything better than a kid with their very first bicycle?
Do you remember your first bicycle? What color was it? Did you receive it as a gift or earn the money to buy it yourself?
Whether it was a shiny new gift waiting under a Christmas tree or something you saved and worked hard to buy yourself, that first bike often meant freedom, adventure, and a little bit of growing up.

Do you remember your first bicycle? What color was it? Did you receive it as a gift, or earn the money to buy it yourself?

Share your bicycle memories in the comments—we'd love to hear your stories and see your vintage bike photos! 🚴‍♀️🚴‍♂️📸

06/02/2026

THEN and NOW...NE Wall Street, Mill City, Oregon- approximately 1920. Note the location of RR tracks running down the middle of the street.

Also, there is a large stack of “cord wood” toward the back of the photo: probably for the train engine.

Our present museum building now houses 2 stories. As you can see, the original building was constructed with 3 stories. The boardwalk rises above the street to a row of cabins above Elizabeth Creek that would have been located south of the buildings that house Giovanni's Mt Pizza and Eddy's Philly's. The Fire Station is located at the right forefront of the photo.

05/31/2026

🌞🌲 Summer Days on the Santiam 🌊🏊‍♀️

Long before air conditioning, smartphones, and streaming services, the North Santiam River was the place to cool off on a hot summer day.

Pictured L-R: Ruby Winters, Edith Schroeder, Florence Carrysot, Mabel Schroeder, Genevieve, Scott and Gladys Grafe.

Judging by their fashionable bathing costumes, these smiling ladies may have gathered along the riverbanks sometime in the late 1910s or early 1920s. One can almost imagine the laughter echoing through the trees as they waded into the cool water, shared picnic lunches, swapped local news, and enjoyed a carefree afternoon with friends.

A summer outing in the Santiam Canyon often meant swimming holes, homemade treats packed in baskets, card games on blankets, and plenty of storytelling. The river provided relief from the summer heat and served as a gathering place where memories were made and friendships were strengthened.

Looking at this photograph more than a century later, we’re reminded that some things never change. The beauty of the North Santiam, the joy of a summer day outdoors, and the simple pleasure of spending time with good friends remain timeless traditions.

“Whether they were heading for a refreshing swim, a picnic, or simply escaping the chores for a few hours, these ladies look like they knew exactly how to spend a perfect Santiam Canyon summer day.” 😊🌲🌊

📸 Do you remember swimming in the North Santiam River? Share your favorite swimming hole, summer adventure, or family memory in the comments!
By
Photo courtesy of NSHS Board Member, Donna Baumann

05/27/2026

Join the North Santiam Historical Society!

Love local history, community, and preserving our stories? We’d love to have you!

Membership is open to all—come be part of keeping our Santiam Canyon heritage alive.

✔️ Attend monthly meetings & special events
✔️ Support preservation of local history
✔️ Connect with others who share your passion

Join today and be part of something meaningful!
Message us for details or stop by an upcoming meeting—we’d love to meet you!

05/25/2026

This Memorial Day, We Remember.

As we gather with family and friends this Memorial Day weekend, we pause to honor the brave men and women who gave their lives in service to our country.

At the North Santiam Historical Society, we are reminded that history lives not only in buildings and photographs, but in the stories and sacrifices of those who came before us. Many from small communities like ours answered the call to serve, leaving a legacy of courage, duty, and devotion.

Today, we remember them with gratitude and respect.

May we never forget the freedoms preserved through their sacrifice.