If you’ve never heard of the flood that wiped Oregon’s second-largest city off the map, you’re in for one of the most shocking and little-known stories in the state’s history. The city was called Vanport, and in 1948, it was home to nearly 18,500 people — until a...
Writing this has been one of the hardest things I’ve ever done, as my eyes start to tear, and I take another deep breath trying to push forward. For 27 years, I’ve carried the weight of that day quietly — but today, for the first time, I’m sharing my personal story....
Today marks 45 years since the catastrophic eruption of Mount St. Helens, a day etched into the history of the Pacific Northwest—and the minds of everyone who lived through it. On the morning of May 18, 1980, at 8:32 a.m., the mountain violently exploded, forever...
A beloved Southern Oregon landmark is once again in the spotlight — this time, as one of the most endangered historic places in America. The Oregon Caves Chateau, a nearly century-old lodge tucked away in the Siskiyou Mountains near Cave Junction, was officially named...
Gun control in the United States has never truly been about public safety—it has been about control. Throughout history, firearm restrictions have been disproportionately used to disarm Black Americans, marginalized communities, and anyone deemed a "threat" to the...
There’s something fascinating about Portland’s history that never fails to surprise me. Just when I think I’ve read up on all the city’s historical oddities, I stumble upon something entirely new—at least new to me. That was exactly the case when I recently learned...
Growing up in Springfield, I thought I knew all there was to know about my hometown. I’ve spent years writing about its history and highlighting all the hidden gems this place has to offer. But it turns out, there was something I had missed — an overlooked piece of...
You may think the comparison to Disneyland is a long shot, but I assure you: it's completely true. Jerry and Lu Parks had big dreams in 1964. They already owned one of the most famous restaurants on the Oregon Coast, that with a vision of the future could become a...
Imagine a dark winter night in the Pacific Northwest. The ground beneath your feet begins to tremble, slowly at first, then violently. Trees sway and snap like matchsticks. The ocean retreats, revealing a seafloor few have ever seen. Moments later, a massive wall of...
Walking into Movie Madness feels like stepping into another time, another world. The scent of old plastic cases mingles with the faint hum of a CRT television playing a classic movie in the corner. Shelves groan under the weight of more movies than you could watch in...
In recent months, reports of mysterious lights and so-called drones have captured attention across the United States. From glowing orbs hovering over remote areas to strange aerial formations spotted in Oregon’s vast wilderness, and even in largely populated areas of...
The combination of mouthwatering comfort food, ice cream and pie, along with a rich local history, makes Austin House a standout spot to check out in eastern Oregon. If you’re traveling through the wide-open beauty of eastern Oregon and craving a hearty home-cooked...