150 years ago
1874
Church conference: Rev. Godfrey desires us to say that the Annual Conference of the U.B. Church of Oregon will convene at Philomath, Oregon, May 22, 1874. Rev. Bishop Edwards is expected to preside. A general invitation is extended, and a good time anticipated. (Published May 2, 1874, in the Weekly Corvallis Gazette).
Dead notice: Died. Near Philomath, Oregon, April 28, 1874, Margaret, wife of Rev. Wm. Bennett. (Published May 2, 1874, in the Weekly Corvallis Gazette).
125 years ago
1899
Graduating students: Next Friday is commencement day for the public schools of Philomath. Prof. Berchtold will deliver a lecture before the students of that school. (Published May 5, 1899, in the Corvallis Union-Gazette).
Visiting Toledo: Mrs. J.F. Worrel of Philomath, is canvassing our town for a medicine, arriving Wednesday morning. (Published May 5, 1899, in the Lincoln County Leader, Toledo).
100 years ago
1924
Road maintenance: On the last Saturday those residing along the road north of town were pleased to note that the county road procession made several trips along the road but were sorry that it had postponed its coming for so long that very little improvement was made. (Published May 2, 1924, in the Benton Independent).
Band performance: The Corvallis high school band gave a concert at the I.O.O.F. hall in Philomath on the evening of Friday, April 12. Several fine selections were given on the street before the concert opened and a splendid program was given to an appreciative audience. (Published May 2, 1924, in the Benton Independent).
75 years ago
1949
Shipped late: New desks, 140 in number, that should have arrived prior to the dedication ceremonies Monday night, May 9, for the new $135,000 Philomath grade school building, came yesterday. Teachers and pupils looked on with interest as Roy Bennett, building custodian, started to unpack the desks from the cartons. In a comment on the desks, Mrs. Charline Edwards, school principal, pointed out that they should have been delivered before the dedication but everyone would be happy that they arrived. Referring to the dedication Monday, Mrs. Edwards pointed out that more than 200 signed the guest register during the day. There were many at the dedication who did not sign the register. (Published May 5, 1949, in the Benton County Herald).
40 years ago
1984
Rodeo arena: Philomath Frolic and Rodeo, Inc., began site preparation last Saturday for a new and permanent rodeo area. The Frolic organization plans to build a rodeo arena on 7.5 acres of land owned by Skirvin Farms, Inc., in time for this year’s Frolic event. The arena will be located in the field southwest of the gravel airstrip, which connects with Applegate Street near the 13th Street crossing. Although the project was scheduled to begin about mid-April, wet weather has held up construction, said Paul Skirvin, chairman of the Frolic rodeo committee. The arena will be 240 feet long and 130 feet wide with a 1,500 spectator seating capacity. (Published May 2, 1984, in the Benton Bulletin).