Museums/History

This giant sequoia was found as a seedling tree along the railroad tracks by Sister Protasia Schindler in 1893. She planted it in front of the Queen of Angels Monastery to give some life to the grounds. Grown tall, it has become a recognized Mt. Angel's landmark.

The Benedictine Sisters of Mt. Angels were established in Oregon by a small group of Sisters from Switzerland. In 1887, construction was started on the Monastery. This majestic Sequoia has been a living witness to most of the monastery's long history and now presides over grounds populated by hundreds of other trees.

This majestic pine is the biggest of its species ever recorded. It was a giant before the Oregon Territory was established, enduring centuries of fire, insects, disease, and human impact. Recently half of its crown was lost to weather, making another Ponderosa taller, but "Big Red" remains the largest in circumference.

This Coast Redwood was planted in 1992 at the site of the only Japanese aerial bombing of the continental United States on September 9, 1942. The tree was planted by the pilot of the submarine-delivered reconnaissance plane, Flight Officer Nobuo Fujita. The bombing of the continental United States was in retaliation for the Doolittle raid on Tokyo in April 1942.

The tree is located nineteen miles east of Brookings, Siskiyou National Forest, Bombsite Trail 1118 (one mile from trail head). Take Curry County Road 808 to Forest Road 1205 to Spur 260.

On March 22, 1862, the day of his son Emil's birth, Peter Britt planted this Giant Sequoia by his home. Britt was a pioneer photographer, skilled horticulturist, and leader in Southern Oregon's lucrative fruit industry. From its vantage point, this majestic tree has witnessed the unfolding of Jacksonville's rich history-the gold rush prosperity of the mid 1800s, the decline at the turn of the century and the current restoration and revitalization.

It is located in the historic Peter Britt Gardens, First Street, Jacksonville, Oregon.

The Butte Creek Mill and General Store is still one of Southern Oregon’s favorite destinations today as people come to take home the whole grain goodness of mills flours baking mixes and many culinary treats along with a whole lot of history. The mill began operation in 1872, built by the pioneers with double-bitted axes and hand saws felled trees that were already more than one hundred years old.

Driving north on Highway 99E as you enter Canby, it’s very hard not to notice the Vietnam memorial citizen of the small Willamette Valley town have constructed.

As you crest the hill into town, you are greeted by a Bell UH-1 helicopter – better known as a “Huey.”

Cannon Beach is one of the cities on the coast that has a well-documented history, and is one of the places that Lewis and Clark visited. While you might think that means you have to spend time perusing a museum to learn about the history – and you can do that – there is a better way. Simply take a walk.

Captain George Flavel was a noted bar pilot and entrepreneur in Clatsop County. His piloting business and other investments helped in the development of Astoria. Flavel's 1886 Queen Anne style house now stands as a historical museum, inseparable from the beautiful landscaping that surrounds it.

Ginger Savage, executive director of the Crossroads Carnegie Art Center, knows the minute someone walks up the stairs, whether they are there to enjoy the artwork, or the architecture of her building.

“I can always tell,” she said with her trademark smile. “If they are looking up, you know they are going to start talking about our great old building. If they are looking at the artwork, it’s time to start discussing our great local art community.”