Oregon Area Historical Society

February 1951

Parents Informed of School Tuberculosis Program

In a letter sent to parents of every child attending the Oregon Consolidated Schools, the Oregon Public Health Council, under the direction of Mrs. Joseph Kivlin has outlined the following T.B. skin patch program to be conducted this coming Monday, Feb. 19th.

Claiming tens of thousands of lives annually in the United States, T.B. is still one of our most costly and dreaded diseases.  Early detection has proven to be the only satisfactory way of combating the merciless killer or of preventing a “positive reactor” from becoming an active case. For the preventative campaign of this type to be 100% successful, it is necessary to test every child in a given area.  It is hoped that all parents will have their children participate in the program. 

Golden Anniversary

Mr. and Mrs. Abe Noyce of Oregon will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary on Sunday, Feb. 18th at the village hall.  The public is invited. Open house from 7 p.m.-11 p.m.

Praise For Oregon Firefighters

The following letter to the Oregon Fire Department speaks for itself:

January 15, 1951, Oregon Fire Department:

Dear Sirs,

This is to say thanks from the grateful families of Wealti, Pregler and Schaefer for your time and service the night of Dec. 19th, 1950, when our neighbor Mr. O’Neil’s residence in the Greenridge Park was destroyed by fire.

As we stood watching the fire eat away at the house, the flames mounting in height and intensity, there was just one thought in all of our minds, “would help arrive in time to save our homes or would we all be wiped out.” You will never know how good the wail of your siren sounded to us, heralding your arrival.  

It was a treat to watch how efficiently your men went to work with your excellent equipment, and how calm and collected everyone was.  By using water sparingly, it was sufficient to see us through. At times like this, there is always a level of excitement, but not by any of your men. One of these examples was during the height of the fire, periodic checks of the inside of our homes were made, but not until newspapers were laid on the rugs at your insistence.  This shows wonderful training and coolness.

Though the scars still remain to remind us of that fateful night, we can’t help but think that without your assistance our homes might have looked the same.  So again, thanks to a swell group of men from the grateful families of 

Wealti, Pregler and Shafer.

Edwin Wealti

Robbery

Some time Sunday night robbers stole about a thousand pounds of copper from the warehouse of the Wisconsin Power & Light Company.

Washington Dinner

Served by the men of the Methodist Church

Oregon Village Hall

Saturday, February 24, 1951

Menu:

Roast Beef, Mashed Potatoes, Brown Gravy, Salmon Loaf,

Scalloped Corn, Cabbage Salad, Pickles and Relish, Jello, Buttered Rolls, Cherry Pie, Coffee

Serving from 11:00-1:00

Adults $1.25

Children 50 cents

Toll Roads

Senator Warren P. Knowles, 40-year-old leader of the state senate Republican majority is a patient man.

In two previous legislatures he has proposed the creation of a state turnpike authority that would study the feasibility of toll roads and lay out a plan for two toll roads to connect the Twin Cities with Chicago and the Fox River Valley with Milwaukee and Chicago. 

Knowles proposition turned up in the senate again last week, with minor modifications.  The majority leader declared, moreover, that he is optimistic about approval and that Wisconsin will one day establish the toll road. 

New Restaurant

24-Hour Service – Now open for business

Regular meals and short orders served anytime day or night

Will also continue our Fish Fries

Edna’s Restaurant and Tavern

 999 Janesville Street Oregon, Wisconsin

Phone 107-W

TRUCKERS INVITED!

February 1976 

Oregon School District

Student News:

The Oregon High School students that participated in the D.E.C.A Southwest Regional D.E.C.A. Conference held at the UW-Whitewater took first place in the Civic Project Class. This award is given to the chapter that has the best community activities. Oregon D.E.C.A. did a nursing home visitation around Halloween and a Blood Drive around Christmas. Pictures, publicity and details of the project were displayed on a large posterboard. A total of 350 students competed. Participants from Oregon High School were Jan Schwarze, Carol Bloodworth (Fashion and Apparel); Wanda Pollow, Lisa Blahnik (Food Marketing); and John Hoppeler, Greg Schrock (Petroleum)     

School Board News:        

An inquiry was made as to what mode of transportation is being planned for the Mexico trip by the Spanish club. The Board has given approval for the trip based on the same conditions as previous trips which were made by bus. A rumor had reached the Board that the group would go by airplane. The Board gave its final approval after hearing the details concerning the mode of transportation for the trip. Two teachers explained that the group would travel to Mexico by bus as originally planned, but that a side trip, by airplane, to the Mayan ruins has been included and that the entire trip will last 12 days.

A letter was received by High School Principal Henry Appel commending teacher, Rose Lewis, for her participation in two state sponsored curriculum workshops this past summer, where Mrs. Lewis demonstrated not only expertise in developing units of instruction, but also a persistent drive for perfection; and that her efforts this summer resulted in the production of a number of “well-done” units of instruction.  

Oregon School Sports News

The Oregon High School wrestlers won its second consecutive Central Suburban Conference championship on Saturday at Columbus. The Panthers who placed seven wrestlers in the finals captured four individual championships. Leading the way was senior Guy Gibney who defeated Pete Gestrich of Parkview with a last second takedown to win 3-1. Eric Grover avenged two previous losses to Milton’s Bob Cullen by defeating him by a 10-4 margin. Brett Nelson of Oregon was holding a 5-1 lead over Evansville’s Ed Arnold when the Blue Devil wrestler was disqualified by a slam in the second period. Scott Nelson, coming back from a wrist injury, captured the heavyweight title besting Columbus’ Duncan Robertson by a 9-5 score.

 Bi-Centennial News: 

Bicentennial Music Program

Students at Oregon Middle School are busy preparing for their Bicentennial music program on February 12 at 7:30 p.m. Assisting several students in learning a “soft shoe” routine is Kelly Champagne, a junior high student at Oregon.

Bi-Cen Briefs- by Joan Wethal

02/5/1976:  In the 1840s,  a small school building stood on the corner of the property now occupied by the Catholic Church, the building also being available for religious services. When it became apparent that the center of the village was to be located a bit south, that school building was abandoned and one was built and used on Jefferson Street near the viaduct. This school served its purpose until about 1875 when grounds were bought for school and play, the site being that of the present elementary school. 

In 1895 a brick building was constructed on almost the same site. This building was torn down when the present elementary school was constructed. The red brick building was built for high school in 1922 and of course is still being used for some grade school classes.

02/12/1976: The Village of Oregon was called Rome Corners until 1868. The original plat of the village was upon lands of Chas. Waterman, William Bedford, A.S. Mygath and John Tipple. Later additions were made from the lands of Stoddard Johnson, Abraham Kierstead, E.E. Bedford, and      A. L. Parsons.

In 1849 a hotel was built known as the Exchange Hotel which did a lively business until 1880 when it was destroyed by fire. Most business places were small and mostly one or one and one-half stories. Homes were small and scattered. Sidewalks, when they existed, were of boards and flimsy. 

Before 1880 merchants included harness makers, milliners and dressmakers, blacksmiths, boot and shoemakers, jewelers, tailors, confectionary, drugs and groceries, furniture, lumber, and hardware. Fire was always a great threat, and several buildings were destroyed or heavily damaged by fire. 

02-26-1976: In 1875 a pioneer picnic was held in a grove west of the viaduct. About 3,00 people were in attendance from the surrounding county and the city of Madison. The governor and other distinguished persons arrived on the morning train and were welcomed with music and banners.  A procession was formed with a lead of horsemen followed by every conceivable type of vehicle. Many ox teams carried the pioneers and their children and grandchildren. There was a ceremony and a big dinner was served.

In July 1880, a second gathering of pioneers was held in Madison, and the pioneers of Oregon were the guests at that reunion. These pioneers suffered the privations and real hardships of life in the wilderness. Many women followed their husbands often with two or three small children to care for. They helped each other, tended the sick and made homes out of primitive dwellings. 

Town of Oregon Bicentennial Park

The Town of Oregon Bicentennial Committee recently held a fund-raising kick off drive for its Bicentennial project – the creation of a town park -with a $150 donation from the Oregon Horse Association. The committee decided on a promising location for a park in the S.H. Chase estate located on MM between Oregon and Brooklyn south of and across the road from Fahey Heights. This historic and interesting area consists of twenty acres – approximately fifteen acres woodland and five acres second growth prairie. It is in an area which has been relatively undisturbed since 1952. 

The purpose in establishing a park is to have a natural area in the Town of Oregon where flora and fauna indigenous to the area may exist in an undisturbed yet observed state. It is hoped that establishment would include development of nature trails and labeling of species, reintroduction of natural species, creation of a small picnic area and location of bird houses. In combination with surrounding wildlife areas, tree farms and wooded areas, an arboretum type effect would be achieved.

Business News:

A full-page ad from Doug’s IGA on February 5, 1976 (50 years ago !!) features the following:

Ground Chuck $0.89/lb

Pork Roast – $1.09/lb; Pork Chops-$1.28/lb; Pork Spareribs- $0,99/lb

Apples or Pears – 4 lbs/$1.00

Del Monte catsup – $0.79 

Del Monte green beans – 4 cans/$1.00

IGA Ice cream – assorted flavors – $0.89/1/2 gallon

Hills Brothers Coffee 3 lb can – $3.59

IGA TableRite Bacon – 1 lb pkg – $1.49

Robin Hood Corn Muffin Mix, Pancake & Biscuit Mixes – 5/$1.00

Bridgeman’s Restaurant (2802 Fish Hatchery Road) features a Bi-centennial ice cream Flavor of the Month. January’s Flavor of the Month was “Minute Man Marble Fudge” and February’s is “George Washington White House Cherry” ice cream. 

Clubs and Organizations

P.T.O Fun Night

Parents and children will gather at the Jr. High School gym on February 16th for PTO Fun Night. From 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. everyone will be able to try their luck at winning prizes in the sixteen different carnival booths, cake walk, lettermen basketball throws and other activities. Tickets for the carnival are eight for $1.00. A dance will also be held for Senior High School students in the elementary school gym for $1.00 at the door. Hot dogs, barbecues, potato chips, cupcakes, soft drinks and coffee will be served at the food stand. Home-baked goods can be purchased at the Bake Sale right outside the door to the gym. Money received from this event will go to the four schools, elementary, middle, junior high and senior high and Cub Scouts for special projects and needed equipment. 

Band Boosters Chili Supper

Mark your calendars now to have supper out for Feb 10th when the Oregon Band Boosters and Senior High School Music Department will sponsor a Chili Supper at the Sr. High School cafeteria. Serving begins at 4:30 p.m. until 7:30 p.m., after which you can enjoy the varsity basketball team in action against Lake Mills starting at 8:00 p.m. Price is $1.50 for adults and $1.00 for children under the age of 10 years old.

George is Coming!

    The Methodist Men’s Club of the United Methodist Church are again sponsoring their annual “George Washington” roast beef dinner with all the trimmings, on Wednesday, February 18th at the Oregon Masonic Temple, with serving beginning at 5:00 p.m. All proceeds go toward the yearly projects of the Methodist Church Men’s Club.

Oh yes, George Washington WILL be there to greet everyone.

February 2001

Village Board Hears Traffic Concerns

The Oregon Village Board received a petition about safety concerns at the MM and Highway 138 and the MM and Pleasant Oak intersections at their meeting Monday night.  Oregon resident Cindy Hustad gathered nearly 200 signatures for the petition.

After having her vehicle hit in two separate traffic accidents in the area in the last year, Hustad felt that something had to be done to bring attention to the traffic “problems” in this area.

“Oregon has gotten so big and with traffic coming from Brooklyn on MM and traffic coming out of the middle school there’s always a big line up of cars in the morning,” Hustad explained. “It’s such a safety hazard, someone’s going to get killed.”

“We want someone to come and look at it and see what can be done,” she continued.  “It’s scary, with students walking to school and high school drivers dropping off younger brothers and sisters at school.”

Village President Michael Krembs thanked Hustad for her efforts.  “We commend you for pursuing this beyond the initial complaint brought before the board,” he said. “We guarantee we will deliver this to the highway commission.  We want to alleviate these traffic and safety issues.”

Board of Education Approves Home Construction Course

The Oregon Board of Education approved the creation of an Oregon High School home construction course Monday.

The 15 students taking the course will be building a house in the Rustic Vineyard development off Netherwood Drive, along with the guidance of industrial technology teacher Justin Zander and several area builders.  The construction is scheduled to begin at the start of the 2001-2002 school year. 

Red Brick School has History and a Future

The suggestion by a school board member that Oregon’s historic Red Brick School may be torn down has historic preservation advocates up in arms.

Historic Preservation Commission chair Joan Gefke said “demolishing the building, which is on the National Register of Historic Places, is not an option.”

“It was a threat – hurry and decide what to do with it or we’ll tear it down.’. They think it’s their building,” Gefke charged. “Well, it’s not their building.”

“That would be one of the stupidest things you could do,” said Arlan Kay, a preservation architect and member of the Historic Preservation Commission.  The story made it sound like the building is going to hell in a hand basket – it’s not.  Theres been a suggestion it be bulldozed, then the next question is for what? To accomplish what? To build a parking lot?”

“You have a very sound building that can add to the community in a number of ways,” Kay continued.  “The roof is not leaking.  For a very, very modest cost – I think it was $2000 – it was repaired. “It’s one of the first of 88 four-year high schools in the state.”

Kay cited three ways in which the building is valuable: It is in very good physical shape and is strategically located in the village, given the community’s plan to revitalize the downtown; historically, the building is “very representative of red brick schools built in response to the baby boom after World War I”; and it has “great value to local people as a part of the community’s history.”

The Red Brick Committee, of which Gefke and Kay are members, have been charged with finding uses for the building. 

Special Week Honors Wisconsin School Bus Drivers

Area school bus drivers that were honored from Brooklyn were Dorothy Wendt, Brad Wiedel, Al Wiedel, Bruce Carl, Judy Kersten, Doris Heenan, Karen Parsons Jerry Jensen, Wilford Wendt, Nancy Thompson along with Director of Transportation Director Rodney Pence

Area school bus drivers honored from Oregon were Duane Wendt, Ken Hagemann, Todd Wiedel, Lois Hagemann, Dave Lehmann, Judy Wiedel, Connie Carl, Wanda Ace, Donna Lappley, John Lappley, Penney McGinnis, Don Elmer, Wayne Ace, Ed Hagstorm, Donna Wright and Stan Lion