150 years ago
1874
The Fourth: Our national holiday was duly celebrated at East Portland, Hillsboro, Cascade, Aurora, Powell’s Valley, Salem, Albany and at various points south of us. A party took occasion to visit Mary’s Peak, in this county, and had a very pleasant day. It is now numbered among the things that were, yet at each recurrence revives with radiant brilliancy, and will be hailed as a season of rejoicing as long as free institutions exist. (Published July 11, 1874, in the Weekly Corvallis Gazette).
Yaquina Harbor: On our first page, this week, we republish the report of the official survey of the harbor and entrance to Yaquina Bay, which was made by A.W. Chase, of U.S. Coast Survey, in 1868. The map accompanying and explanatory of said report is on file in the County Clerks office. This survey fully demonstrated that Yaquina is a safe and commodious harbor, easy of access, and hence the erection of lighthouses, by Government, at the entrance. With a railroad to this Bay connecting with a line of steamers to San Francisco, the future of Benton and adjoining counties, is not at all problematical. (Published July 11, 1874, in the Weekly Corvallis Gazette).
125 years ago
1899
Philomath singers: “A great success” is the verdict pronounced upon the first temperance Fourth of July celebration held at Brownsville. A happy social crowd of 1,200 assembled. To the perfect day was added delightful patriotic and temperance songs rendered by singers from Albany, Philomath and other places. The Misses Sheah, of Philomath, were especially commended. Rev. Ray Palmer, of Portland, delivered an eloquent oration, which delighted all hearers. (Published July 13, 1899, in the Albany Herald-Disseminator).
100 years ago
1924
Former resident: Clarence Irwin, formerly a resident of Benton county, died Sunday at the late home in Independence and the funeral was held in that city Tuesday afternoon. Mr. Irwin’s death followed a prolonged illness from tuberculosis. Mr. Irwin formerly operated a meat market at Philomath and resided in that vicinity several years. (Published July 10, 1924, in the Corvallis Gazette-Times)
Dentist returns: Dr. Ralph E. Hall, the dentist, is again in Philomath and ready for business at his old office, one door east of the Palace theatre. Dr. and Mrs. Hall are residing in the A.J. Moore residence in Rose Park. (Published July 11, 1924, in the Corvallis Gazette-Times).
75 years ago
1949
Salmon bake: Final preparations are under way for the fourth annual Mary’s Peak Trek, according to Leonard E. Tracewell, publicity chairman. One of the pre-kick-off events to be staged by the Shriners prior to the Trek is a salmon bake on Sunday, July 24, on top of the mountain. At that time, a work crew of Shriners and their wives will drive to the peak early in the day and finish the stage, rest rooms, decorations and other preparations for the trek on August 7. The ladies are going to prepare the picnic dinner along with the salmon bake. The salmon bake will give the Shriners a chance to try out the new barbecue pit, made especially for the trek. (Published July 14, 1949, in the Benton County Herald).
40 years ago
1984
School programs: A special summer swimming program and behind-the-wheel driver education cut in June by the Philomath School Board have been reinstated. The programs were cut after voters in June rejected a proposed $1 million tax levy for school programs. The board on Thursday night agreed to restart the swimming program after representatives of the Dolphin Swim Team handed them a check for $1,357 to keep the team in the water. About 80 youngsters ranging from 6 to 18 years of age are in the program that was one of several cut by the board following the levy defeat. At the urging of several people, the board also reinstated the behind-the-wheel driver-education program by charging a $20 fee to participating students, according to minutes of the meeting that drew about 60 people, many of whom asked how they could get programs reinstated. (Published July 14, 1984, in the Corvallis Gazette-Times)