150 years ago
1874
Off to Alsea: Last Monday, while returning from the burial of Mr. Hendrickson’s little child (which took place at the family burying ground on the place formerly owned by Mr. Henry Emrick), we passed a large party of pleasure-seekers (nooning at the Mary’s river bridge, near Philomath) from near Junction City and Monroe bound for Alsea Valley to spend a week in berrying, hunting, fishing, etc. Among the number were L. Hasbrouck and family, Mrs. Bowen and son, and Miss Kelley. Several other families were along, whose names we do not remember. Mr. Hasbrouek said there would probably be fifth or sixty wagons altogether. That’s a sensible way to spend a week before the grain harvest. (Published July 24, 1874, in the Weekly Corvallis Gazette).
125 years ago
1899
Young wildcats: A young man, Leo Chapman, from Philomath, exhibited a pair of young wild cats on the streets yesterday morning. He captured them near Philomath, Monday, after killing the mother. They were pretty little fellows and as harmless looking as harmless looking as kittens. (Published July 28, 1899, in the Corvallis Union-Gazette).
100 years ago
1924
Forest fire: Return of hot, dry weather today caused renewed outbreaks of forest fires from many sections of the state, and forest officials said tonight that the situation was exceedingly dangerous because of the extremely dry conditions prevailing. … Fire broke out on the Alsea mountain in Lincoln county this afternoon and tonight had swept over the mountain and down to Alder creek where farms in the Alsea valley were threatened. The fire started from a spark from a donkey engine and in 20 minutes the entire side of the mountain was in flames and the fire out of control. A stiff breeze fanned the flames. … The timber on the Alsea mountain where the fire originated is owned by the Evergreen Lumber company of Philomath and the logging operations were being carried on by that company to furnish logs for the mill at Philomath. (Published July 24, 1924, in the Morning Register, Eugene).
75 years ago
1949
Street lights: The five remaining mercury vapor street lights for Philomath will be installed soon. All of the equipment has arrived except the metal hangers. When installed, all the mercy vapor lights which Philomath ordered in some time ago will have been placed in operation. Already Philomath is noted throughout the state for its fine street lights and the five to be added will further increase the lighting in this city. Each light is 16,000 lumens capacity against the 320 or so lumens given by the older type lights. … Airplane travelers report that Philomath at night is one of the best lighted cities on the Pacific coast. (Published July 25, 1949, in the Corvallis Gazette-Times)
40 years ago
1984
Mill layoff: Philomath’s largest lumber mill, North Side Lumber Company, will lay off 10 percent of its workforce Tuesday because of high interest rates and a depressed timber market, company officials said. The layoff will affect 30 of the mill’s 300 employees, operations manager David Vincent said. He said North Lumber will continue trying to develop its foreign sales market in an effort to avoid future layoffs. (Published July 28, 1984, in the Statesman-Journal, Salem)