Offbeat Oregon History podcast

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Bobbie the Wonder Dog put Silverton on the map Sep 03, 2026

Show notes

BOBBIE THE WONDER Dog, a.k.a. Silverton Bobbie, is still today Silverton’s most famous celebrity. And that’s saying something; the town has been home to some very notable personalities, including Clark Gable and political-cartoon legend Homer Davenport. This picturesque little town nestled right between the east side of the Willamette and the west flank of the Cascade foothills, about 15 miles out of Salem, has gotten a lot busier in the last decade or two as visitors to Silver Falls State Park and the Oregon Gardens have noticed its particular small-town charms. But back in 1923, it was basically a quiet little timber-and-sawmill town. A little town that was home to a dog that, when he got lost during a road trip to Indiana, somehow found his way home — 2,300 miles, in the dead of winter — on foot (or rather, on paw). (For text and pictures, see https://offbeatoregon.com/2406a-1101a.silverton-bobbie-the-wonder-dog-104.652.html)

SPADs, Sopwith Camels made with Oregon spruce Sep 02, 2026

Show notes

The famous First World War aircraft were made of spruce, and one of the most important sources of the strategic wood for the Allies was the northern Oregon coast. (Toledo, Lincoln County; 1910s) (For text and pictures, see https://offbeatoregon.com/1301c-great-war-planes-made-of-oregon-spruce.html)

Oregon back country is rich in legends of buried treasure Sep 01, 2026

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Stories of lost loot and buried booty have kept treasure hunters busy digging for gold in hidden corners of Oregon for the past 150 years. Stories like the Louse Creek Stage Robbery ... the Silent Paymaster of Fort Grant ... the Inside Job at Pendleton ... and the Gold-Filled Muck Boot. (For text and pictures, see https://offbeatoregon.com/1101c-oregon-backcountry-rich-in-legends-of-buried-treasure.html)

Decade-long dam dispute resolved with dynamite Aug 31, 2026

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IN THE SMALL hours of the morning of Aug. 16, 1906, a powerful explosion jolted residents awake near the little town of Willamette, which today is a neighborhood of West Linn. It came from the direction of the nearby Tualatin River. The cause was soon discovered. When the first rays of the morning sun fell on the Oregon Iron and Steel Co.’s diversion dam, located a little over three miles from the river’s mouth, a 20-foot-wide hole had been blasted in its center. The river water was still gushing through it.... (Lake Oswego, Clackamas County; 1900s) (For text and pictures, see https://offbeatoregon.com/24-01.tualatin-dam-dynamited.html)

Buying gas-station B-17 was a crazy adventure Aug 28, 2026

Show notes

Before he made it back, Art Lacey had survived a plane crash, bribed a fire department with illegal whiskey, kited a big check and made bitter enemies in Portland City Hall. But hey, all's well that ends well, right? (Milwaukie, Clackamas County; 1940s) (For text and pictures, see https://offbeatoregon.com/1601d.bomber-gas-station-375.html)

Mislabeled wood alcohol killed 28 Portland hobos Aug 27, 2026

Show notes

The alcoholic derelicts of on Burnside Street knew they could count on denatured alcohol for a cheap-but-nasty buzz; it might make them sick, but it wouldn't kill them. But then, one day, it did. (Portland, Multnomah County; 1930s) (For text and pictures, see https://offbeatoregon.com/1404c.poison-dehorn-killed-28-hobos.html)

Family camped unnoticed in downtown Portland — for 4 years Aug 26, 2026

Show notes

Why is there 5,000 acres of near-wilderness at the heart of Oregon's largest city? Because nobody could develop it — although many tried. So, all the land reverted back to the city for unpaid taxes, and the city turned it into Forest Park. (For text and pictures, see https://offbeatoregon.com/1010d-family-camped-in-downtown-portland-for-4-years.html)

Six iconic food items that were invented in Oregon (Part 2 of 2) Aug 25, 2026

Show notes

Today we're finishing up our list of six of the most iconic modern foods that have been invented in the Beaver State. Last time, we explored the first three; today we have three more. (For text and pictures, see https://offbeatoregon.com/23-12.oregon-food-inventions-628.html)

Six iconic food items that were invented in Oregon (Part 1 of 2) Aug 24, 2026

Show notes

Oregon has been the birthplace of some of the world's most iconic foods over the years. Today and tomorrow, on the podcast, we'll explore six of the most influential ones. (For text and pictures, see https://offbeatoregon.com/23-12.oregon-food-inventions-628.html)

Express clerk’s silence foiled Eugene train robber Aug 21, 2026

Show notes

The masked outlaw planned the job out carefully, and thought he was ready for anything. But he met his match in the cool-handed express man, and had to leave almost empty-handed. (Saginaw, Lane County; 1900s) (For text and pictures, see https://offbeatoregon.com/1501a.saginaw-train-robbery.320.html)

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