In recent years, the city of Philomath has been dealing with old, crumbling 1950s-era water and sewer lines that needed to be replaced. Making such infrastructure improvements is just part of running a city. And it’s always been that way.
Seventy-five years ago during the summer of 1948, the local city council decided to send to the voters a decision on whether or not the Philomath would issue bonds to pay for the construction of a sewer system.
“The council approved a ‘deep’ plan, whereby the sewers would be deep enough that a basement could be dug in any section of the city,” reported the Corvallis Gazette-Times in its July 23, 1948 edition. “The council said the cost of mains and laterals would be levied against the property owners at a rate of about 1.6 cents per square foot and the cost of a disposal plant, outfall lines and pumping station would be general city obligations, to be paid for through a user’s service charge.”
The 1948 cost of the mains and laterals was estimated at $106,000 and for the plant, lines and station at $124,000.
150 years ago
1873
A card: The public are hereby notified that Henry Aphel is not doing business for me, and is not authorized to collect any bills or make any purchases on my account. All accounts due the firm will be paid to Mr. Charles Cooper, at the Modoc Store, Philomath, Oregon. Jacob Kline. (Published July 19, 1873, in the Corvallis Gazette).
125 years ago
1898
Life’s good: G.G. Newton, an old pioneer, living on his farm near Philomath while in town recently, took occasion to say that crops were good and times were better. … Attorney Bryan, of Philomath, said “how de do” to the Gazette on day this week. He reports Philomath as being distressedly peaceful and alarmingly healthy. (Published July 22, 1898, in the Corvallis Gazette).
100 years ago
1923
Birthday party: One hundred and thirteen relatives and friends gathered at the Jesse C. Walker farm, five miles south of Philomath, Sunday, July 15, to celebrate Mr. Walker’s 83rd birthday. Mr. Walker has been a resident of Oregon for 70 years and his many friends wish him many happy returns of July 15th. (Published July 21, 1923, in the Corvallis Gazette-Times).
75 years ago
1948
Moose Lodge: Clifford Gee, for many years a prominent member of the Corvallis Moose lodge and currently mayor of Philomath, has been named president of the Oregon Moose association. Gee’s election was made at concluding sessions of the association held at Astoria, and Corvallis was designated as the site for the 1949 state convention. (Published July 20, 1948, in the Corvallis Gazette-Times).
50 years ago
1973
Bicycle study: Preliminary reconnaissance estimates by the Bicycle Study Unit of the State Highway Division indicate a 3.56-miles extension of the Corvallis bikeway into Philomath would cost approximately $200,000. This would construct a two-way, eight-foot-wide path separated wherever possible from the highway, according to E.S. Hunter, assistant state highway engineer. (Published July 24, 1973, in the Corvallis Gazette-Times).
