[Heritage] Oregon Heritage News 2007-03-14

[Heritage Info]

In this issue:
1.  Fort Lane to get new management
2.  Jenkins leaving Fort Clatsop
3. Sherman County plans heritage gathering
4. Philomath, Salem set speaker series


FORT LANE TO GET NEW MANAGEMENT

The Oregon Parks and Recreation Commission has officially accepted a
19-acre donation from Jackson County that includes the former site of
Fort Lane. The site overlooks the area surrounding Table Rock just
northwest of Central Point.

Like Fort Yamhill and the historical military area of Fort Stevens, the
Fort Lane property offers *great interpretive possibilities* as a
future state heritage site, Property and Resource Manager Cliff Houck
told the commission. *Jackson County recognizes the site as a
significant cultural resource. Transferring the site is a compliment to
OPRD as a steward of heritage properties.*

The U.S. Army established Fort Lane after signing a treaty establishing
the Table Rock Indian Reservation in 1853. Like other western forts at
the time, it was built to manage frontier traffic. However, Fort
Lane*s primary purpose evolved to protecting the Native Americans
from the area*s settlers, says Houck.  Only the remains of building
foundations and a monument provide physical evidence of the fort*s
existence. A plaque has been stolen from the monument, which was erected
in 1929. The site has been subject to illegal digging and trespassing.

The Fort Lane site is on the future Rogue River Greenway Trail, linking
Grants Pass and the Valley of the Rogue with Central Point and the north
end of the Bear Creek Greenway Trail. 


JENKINS LEAVING FORT CLATSOP

Chip Jenkins, the superintendent of Lewis and Clark National Historical
Park since 2002, has accepted the top job at North Cascades National
Park in Washington.

Jenkins had a central role in the bicentennial commemoration of the
Corps of Discovery. During his tenure, Fort Clatsop added neighboring
land, constructed new trails and a visitor center, and helped develop
the Fort to Sea Trail and the Netul Landing site. Perhaps most memorable
was Jenkins' leadership in constructing a new fort when the original
Fort Clatsop model burned to the ground shortly before the Lewis and
Clark commemoration's signature event.


SHERMAN COUNTY PLANS HERITAGE GATHERING

A Western Heritage Gathering is scheduled for 8 a.m.-5:30 p.m. March 24
 at the Moro Community Presbyterian Church located in Moro. This event
is a one-day mini-conference that will highlight local and regional
culture and history.

In recognition of March as Women's History Month, five women will be
featured as guest speakers.  Two speakers are from Sherman County: Jane
Kirkpatrick, an author with 14 books,, and Sherry Kaseberg who will
share from the knowledge gleaned during the research for her reference
book "A Sense of Place: Sherman County Place Names."

Jodi Eagan of Madras will detail the history of the Baldwin Sheep and
Land Co. and the challenges faced by those who homesteaded Hay Creek
Ranch, near Madras. Jeanne Carver of Maupin will speak about the
changing roles and lives of women on the Imperial Stock Ranch since its
beginning in 1871. Molly Gloss, a native Oregonian and noted author of
numerous essays, short stories, and novels, will speak about the
experiences of westering women, their role in history, and their
portrayal in Western fiction.

The deadline for signing up is March 15.  Anyone interested in
attending should contact Bob Stone at the Moro Community Presbyterian
Church at (541) 565-3630, or by email at morochurch at earthlink.net The
Western Heritage Gathering is funded in part by the Sherman County
Cultural Coalition.


PHILOMATH, SALEM SET SPEAKER SERIES

The Benton County Historical Society is hosting a lecture series
"Voices of the People" focusing on subjects of tribal importance this
spring. The hour long lectures will cover a range of humanities
subjects, including history and politics, language, literature, the
arts, and human relationships. Each lecture will be preceded by a
reception and followed by a question and answer format for audience
participation. The free talks take place at 9:30 a.m. at the society's
museum in Philomath. Additional information, including the names of
speakers, is available at 
http://www.bentoncountymuseum.org/bentonlectures.html 

The Oregon State Library in Salem is hosting a couple of noontime
lectures this spring. Richard Etulain will speak at noon April 11 on
"The Magic West on Film" while Jim Martin will talk May 23 on "Frances
Fuller Victor: Mother of Oregon History." For more information, contact
For more information:   Ron Stewart 503-378-5024  or 
mailto:ronald.s.stewart at state.or.us 
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Oregon Heritage News is a service of the Oregon Heritage Commission,
which can be contacted at heritage.info at state.or.us