150 years ago
1874
Geological discovery: Mr. Creighton finished boring a well for Messrs. Shipley & Henkle, at their store, in Philomath, on Tuesday last, seventy-four feet deep. At a depth of seventy feet he found a deposit of peculiar composition. It is a mixture of black sand and a hard, clayey substance, apparently undergoing a transformation into stone, and bearing the impress of leaves, like schist, together with something resembling charcoal. The substance is also studded with a metal similar to silver in quartz. In the same locality pieces of wood were found, which have the appearance of having passed through fire. Water was not struck until the above depth was reached, although there are many wells in the immediate vicinity, none of them more than eighteen feet deep, which yield an abundance of water. We think Creighton must have gotten into an extinct crater of a silent volcano. Who knows? (Published Aug. 28, 1874, in the Weekly Corvallis Gazette).
125 years ago
1899
Death update: Mrs. Mary E. Dutcher died near Philomath Saturday from what the doctors think was carbolic acid poisoning. It is believed that she took the poison with suicidal intent. Her husband says that she made several attempts on her life. He says farm life made her discontented. (Published Aug. 31, 1899, in the Weekly Herald-Disseminator, Albany).
Real estate: Ten acres of land in the outskirts of Philomath, Ore. One of the best school towns in the state. Land is suitable for garden or small fruits, all under fence and clear of timber or stumps, no buildings on it. Price $500. Terms to suit purchaser. Would trade for house and lot in Albany. (Published Aug. 31, 1899, in The People’s Press, Albany).
100 years ago
1924
No expansion: At the special school meeting last Friday evening it was voted not to build the third room in the primary building, which has been undergoing considerable repairs. (Published Aug. 27, 1924, in the Corvallis Gazette-Times).
Restroom finished: The rest room which was recently erected back of the bank is all complete at this writing with plastering, wiring and plumbing finished. (Published Aug. 27, 1924, in the Corvallis Gazette-Times).
Annual picnic: The Sunday School of the College church held their annual picnic at Rock Creek Thursday. A large crowd attended and thoroughly enjoyed the day. Besides the bountiful dinner, games and races were on the afternoon program. (Published Aug. 29, 1924, in the Corvallis Gazette-Times).
75 years ago
1949
Miniature locomotives: Texans boast that they have the biggest of everything, but they had to come to Oregon for the biggest little choo choo in the States. Thanks to Charles V. Arnold — known affectionately as “Pop” to those inhabitants of Philomath who happily test his real-live model trains — youngsters and oldsters alike at Fort Worth are having the time of their lives riding a replica of the famous “Cannon-Ball” Express. Miniature locomotives, exactly like big engines in every detail, are a unique crop of the Arnold farm near the tiny Benton county town. (Published Aug. 28, 1949, in the Oregon Daily Journal, Portland).
40 years ago
1984
Railroad ties: About 25 million board feet of railroad ties manufactured at the Northside Lumber Co. in Philomath will head for China later this year, said Ben Beddingfield, sales manager. This follows a first shipment last year through the Port of Portland. The sales are a culmination of three years of contacts with brokers in Hong Kong and government officials in China. It takes a lot of patience, Beddingfield said. “We are committed to exports in the Pacific Rim,” he said, adding that Australia is a good customer for structural grade lumber. This year he has been to Hong Kong three times and will go to China later this year. Additional trips to China were made last year. (Published Aug. 27, 1984, in the Statesman-Journal, Salem).