The WPA Guide to Oregon: The Beaver StateDuring the 1930s in the United States, the Works Progress Administration developed the Federal Writers’ Project to support writers and artists while making a national effort to document the country’s shared history and culture. The American Guide series consists of individual guides to each of the states. Little-known authors—many of whom would later become celebrated literary figures—were commissioned to write these important books. John Steinbeck, Saul Bellow, Zora Neale Hurston, and Ralph Ellison are among the more than 6,000 writers, editors, historians, and researchers who documented this celebration of local histories. Photographs, drawings, driving tours, detailed descriptions of towns, and rich cultural details exhibit each state’s unique flavor. The WPA Guide to Oregon contains some quaint features, including a chapter entitled “Tall Tales and Legends” and a recipe for huckleberry cakes. The impact of the depression on the people of the Beaver State is discussed, and the beauty of the state is emphasized from the tips of the Cascadian Mountains to the agricultural region of Willamette Valley. |
Contents
TRANSPORTATION | |
TALL TALES AND LEGENDS | |
SPORTS AND RECREATION | |
RELIGION | |
PENDLETON | |
SALEM | |
THE DALLES | |
All Over Oregon | |
Caldwell IdahoOntarioBakerLa GrandePendletonUmatillaThe | |
BakerHerefordUnity State | |
SalemRickreallDallasJunction with State 18 State | |
AlbanyCorvallisToledoNewport State | |
THEATER MUSIC AND | |
NEWSPAPERS AND RADIO | |
Cities and Towns | |
CORVALLIS | |
EUGENE | |
HOOD RIVER | |
MEDFORD | |
Junction with US 99BlachleyFlorence State | |
CairoJordan ValleyRome State 201 | |
Junction with US 97MaupinGovernment CampPortland State | |
PortlandNewbergMcMinnvilleCorvallisJunction City US 99W | |
NATIONAL FORESTS | |
CHRONOLOGY | |
Common terms and phrases
acres Alsea Astoria beautiful bridge building built Butte cabins California Canyon Cascade Cascade Range cattle central Oregon church Clark coast Columbia River Corvallis County Crater Lake Creek crosses Dalles Deschutes Deschutes River dirt road district early east eastern Oregon established farm feet fishing FOREST CAMP gold gravel road highway hills Hood River horses Hudson’s Bay Company Indians irrigation John Day John Day River junction Klamath land lava Left lumber Malheur McLoughlin miles mill miners Mount Hood Mount Jefferson mountain named National Forest Northwest Oregon City Oregon country PARK passes peaks pine pioneer plant Portland railroad ranch Range region rock rocky Rogue River route Salem salmon sawmill settlement settlers slopes spring stage station stream summer summit Tillamook timber Timberline Lodge TOUR town trail trees Umatilla Umpqua wagons Washington West Willamette River Willamette Valley