In the city of Philomath’s municipal code, residents can read about what limitations might be in place when it comes to livestock in the city limits.
Chapter 18.35(H) informs residents that the city allows for agriculture, horticulture and livestock uses subject to various standards “intended to provide buffering between these uses and residences.”
City code says livestock “shall not be kept within multifamily complexes or manufactured housing parks, due to the higher intensity living environments of these areas” … “No livestock shall be kept on any lot less than 1 acre in area.” … “No more than two head of livestock over the age of 6 months may be maintained per acre. No more than five fowl may be maintained per acre. No more than one swine may be maintained per 2 acres.”
Let’s go back to the item about a maximum of two head of livestock. This municipal code item might have roots in Philomath that date back 125 years ago. Read the following item published in June 1898 by the Daily Eugene Guard:
“The city fathers of Philomath are an accommodating set. They enacted a law that no one householder should pasture more than two cows on the public streets and his neighbors premises. Yet this liberal allowance of the fence-sidewalk-fruit tree-garden destroyer is not enough for the cow admirers of the college town. A Philomath correspondent of the Corvallis Times writes:
“The city council passed an ordinance some time ago requiring that no householder should allow more than two cows to run at large. This is certainly a beneficial law as it ensures pasturage for the town cows, but some parties are trying to evade the law by quibbles and technicalities and making trouble and expense to the city instead of helping to enforce laws which are plainly for their own benefit.”
Can you envision the cow admirers jamming an old City Hall to give their opinions on the ordinance during the public comments period of the meeting? (Of course, I write this without knowing how the 1898 Philomath City Council conducted hearings or handled public comments).
150 years ago
1873
Philomath marriage: Married at the residence of the bride’s father, in Philomath, Oregon, on the 5th inst., by the Rev. W.H. Palmer, Mr. W.H. Huffman, of Lane Co., and Miss Mary Ross. (Published June 7, 1873, in the Corvallis Gazette).
125 years ago
1898
Notable death: One of the pioneer missionaries of this country and one of the founders of Philomath college, Rev. T.J. Conner, died at his residence in Greensburg, Indiana, June 2, 1898, in the 77th year of his age. Mr. Conner’s health has been failing for some time and for the past six months the decline has been very rapid. He had wishes to visit once more his old home in the West and the scenes of his early labors but the summons came too soon. He was a man of force and ability, and many early residents of Oregon and Washington remember him as a kindly and respected man and devoted missionary. (Published June 10, 1898, in the Corvallis Gazette).
100 years ago
1923
Sneaky thieves: On Tuesday night sneak thieves were busy pilfering around town. The barber sign was stolen, an auto tire was stolen from the car of Mr. Barclay, and two tires and a spot light were taken from the car of Ed Davis. (Published June 8, 1923, in the Corvallis Gazette-Times).
75 years ago
1948
Baseball sweep: Philomath swept its weekend series with Dallas in the Coast Semi-pro baseball league by shutting out the visitors Sunday 11-0. Farthing hurled the whitewash job for the Philomath club, striking out six batters and allowing only five scattered hits. Philomath, scoring all its runs in three big innings, knocked out 15 safeties off two Dallas pitchers, whose cause wasn’t aided by eight fielding miscues by their teammates. Bill Bayloess led the Philomath attack with two doubles. R. Hermanson of Philomath suffered an ankle injury. (Published June 7, 1948, in the Corvallis Gazette-Times).
50 years ago
1973
Junior queen: Wendy Chapman, a 12-year-old sixth grader at Philomath Elementary School, is this year’s queen of the Philomath Frolic’s junior court. She was selected at ceremonies last week at Philomath Elementary School. The youngster is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Ted Chapman. She was sponsored in the competition by North Side Lumber Co. Wendy is a student of Fran Renyer at Philomath Elementary School. Other members of the court are Marcia Chambers, Kampfer’s Pharmacy; Sheri Lamberty, Jay Te-el Co.; Anita Smith, Golden Eagle; and Cathy Pyle, Philomath IGA. (Published June 6, 1973, in the Corvallis Gazette-Times).
