150 years ago
1874
Teachers notice: A public examination will be held at Philomath, March 30th, 1874. All who wish to engage in teaching in the Public Schools of Benton county, are solicited to attend. Examination to commence at 9 o’clock A.M. Signed, A.R. Brown, Prof. Williams, Prof. Sheak. (Published March 21, 1874, in the Corvallis Gazette).
Sheep selling: Two men have bought about one thousand head of sheep in Benton county in the last two weeks, paying from $3 to $3.50 per head. (Published March 21, 1874, in the Albany Register).
125 years ago
1899
Trees killed: E. Skipton is convinced that his prune orchard, as a result of the late freeze, is ruined. Mr. Skipton resides near Philomath and has an orchard of 2,000 trees. The trees are all prunes, and are six years old. They have been thoroughly cultivated, and barring accidents, would this year have yielded at least 2,000 bushels of fruit. The orchard occupies rising ground, and the soil is heavy and cold. … Mr. Skipton exhibited specimens of bark taken from injured trees in his orchard. The bark was a reddish brown on the inside and was beginning to dry up. All the trees that Mr. Skipton examined show the effects of the freeze. (Published March 23, 1899, in the Oregon Statesman, Salem).
100 years ago
1924
Bridge workers: W.H. Newton, A.K. Crawford and F. Crawford have gone to Alsea where they are employed in the construction of the bridge across Mill creek. (Published March 22, 1924, in the Corvallis Gazette-Times).
New residents: Mr. and Mrs. O. Holman and baby of Washington have moved into the E.A. Williams house just west of town. Mr. Holman is the son of Martin Holman, of the Evergreen Lumber Co. (Published March 22, 1924, in the Corvallis Gazette-Times).
Garage owner: C.O. McDowell, owner of the M. and B. garage, has purchased the building in which his garage is located. (Published March 22, 1924, in the Corvallis Gazette-Times).
75 years ago
1949
Wren pie social: The Wren Parent Teacher association reported the sum of $104 as the result of the pie social given at the Wren community hall Friday evening, March 25. A program of community singing followed by a film on wildlife presented by Joe Greenley preceded the auctioning of the pies by Leonard Hayes. (Published March 24, 1949, in the Benton County Herald).
Slot machines: That county officials had begun to crack down on slot machines in the area came to light this week when William McPeak, manager of the H-Bar-H dude ranch at Wren, was fined $50 and $4.50 costs in justice court Tuesday on a charge of having slot machines operating at the ranch. Three of the slot machines confiscated by the state police and the Benton county sheriff’s deputies were brought to the court house after last Saturday’s raid had been made at the dude ranch. … When brought before justice court, McPeak plead guilty to the charge of having slot machines in his possession. (Published March 24, 1949, in the Benton County Herald).
40 years ago
1984
School board: Lauren Olsen, and Kenneth R. McMillen are competing for a Zone 4 seat on the Philomath School District Board. Olsen, 44, has served on the School District Budget Committee for nine years. Olsen, who lives with her husband Bob, and four of their six children at Route 3, Box 8 in Philomath said her experience on the budget committee would be valuable as a school board member. McMillen, 47, Route 3, Box 4A in Blodgett, said his goal as a school board member would be to better prepare students for higher education or the job market after high school. Robert M. Skinner, 46, 406 South 31st Street, is running unopposed for a Zone 3 seat on the Philomath School District Board. Skinner, who has lived in Philomath for 15 years, said he believes the educational program in the district has improved over the years, but for the district to continue to move forward drastic cuts must be avoided. (Excerpts from a story published March 21, 1984, in the Benton Bulletin).