Local History Books for The Home Library

A basic home library of local history includes several books the museum sells. The Story of Sandy was taken verbatim from the “Beaver State Herald” Christmas Edition, December 20, 1907,  published by Timothy Brownhill, editor and manager. Researchers and compilers were Charles Frasier and Marie Schwartz, with Elizabeth Hartman as editorial consultant. This 24-page booklet was reprinted in 1980 by The Sandy Pioneer Association, Inc., and tells the story of Sandy from the time of Lewis and Clark’s presence at our river to more recent times. Following is an excerpt from p. 6:

“FIRST POSTAL SERVICE--by and by Uncle Sam established a weekly mail service from Portland to Eagle Creek via Sandy to the great delight of the settlers. The mail was carried by a pair of diminutive mules attached to a mountain buckboard, and driven by a Mr. Price. The mud in the winter was so soft and deep that the only way one could tell the mules were there was to watch for their ears sticking out of the mud. Of course this is an exaggeration, and is only told by pioneers to illustrate the conditions of the trails commonly called roads.”

Barlow Road, sixth edition, is the result of the Historical Sites Barlow Road Committee, Clackamas County Historical Society, being asked to write a special bicentennial edition. The group coordinated efforts  with the Wasco County Historical Society of The Dalles, where the overland part of the Oregon Trail ended until the Barlow Road was built. The book tells the history of the Barlow Road from 1845 to 1918. Most of the contributing authors have been “members of pioneer groups, historical societies, genealogical forums, or pioneer descendants.” Our own Connie Revenue Selzler contributed to this book. She is a great-granddaughter of the first settlers here, Francis and Lydia Revenue, and granddaughter of the first pioneer baby born here, John Revenue. Connie is the last living contributor of her family’s generation, and is often in the museum sharing history from her memories.  Sometimes she even signs books for lucky visitors.

Phil Jonsrud wrote 80 Years in the Same Neighborhood: A history of the Sandy, Oregon area. The book covers history from 1873 when the first Sandy post office was established to a membership list of Sandy Historical Society in 2001. Jonsrud’s book remains a trusted reference and wealth of photos and information with a personal touch from someone with a passion for history and a sharing nature. The book is copyrighted 2002 by the Sandy Historical Society, Inc., to which he gave all rights. 

Whistle Punks and Misery Whips: An Album of the Early Sandy Area tells the history of the area with many fascinating pictures of people and places. The story of John Mills, who named Ramona Falls after a melody that “sort of stuck in his head” was read last week shortly before some of John’s descendants happened into the museum and expanded on the stories.

Sandy Pioneers, Early Settlers and Barlow Road Days, edited by Elizabeth Hartman and Marie Schwartz, is rich with  historical portraits, information about people, families, early businesses, and maps. It also shows some fun vintage ads. This book is one not to be missed for a home library!