As this month begins, Tell’s brother and sister-in-law John and Alice are visiting on a big train trip from Iowa (as described in the previous entry), and they are all up at their brother Berne’s in Salem doing some sightseeing.
Sun 1. Berne took John & Alice, Tell & me for a 345 mile drive. We saw some wonderful sights—Mt. Hood, Mt. Adams—the two view points: Crown Point and Rosary Heights—the Columbia River drive, Bonneville Dam. Crossed over into Washington. Saw Multnomah Falls and came home via Vancouver & Portland. We were tired but it was a wonderful trip.
This sounds like a glorious trip! The Historic Columbia River Highway was the first planned scenic roadway in the United States, running between Troutdale and The Dalles, Oregon through the Columbia River Gorge. It was designed to take advantage of all the natural beauty along the way. Interstate 84 has since bypassed this two-lane road, but some sections still remain. At Crown Point, the travelers probably stopped at Vista House, an Art-Nouveau-style observatory and comfort station built in 1918.
Bonneville Dam was built by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers between 1933 and 1938 as part of Depression-era public works projects and to provide electric power for economic development in the pacific Northwest. In addition to generators, it included a navigation lock and facilities for allowing fish to migrate up- and downstream.
Mon 2. John & Alice decided not to go with Berne today. Tell & I are going with him on a business trip to the Ocean. I mean we will get to see the ocean on this trip. Just now I am waiting in a garage for the car to be fixed. We made quite a trip. Went to Oceanlake, but the ocean was so covered by a mist we saw just a tiny bit. It was in a sucky mood—waves rolling, sort of growling and showing of teeth. We stopped at several places.
Oceanlake is now a part of Lincoln City on the Oregon Coast. Here’s a view from this coastline looking north toward the community of Road’s End.
Tue 3. Tell & John went with Berne to Portland and other places today. Betty drove Alice & me down town. I interviewed Dr. Baxter, Cameron Marshall, Prof. Clark today about a job for Bob & Ruth next year. They were very encouraging. Bought a 2¢ pattern for the collar & came home and fixed my grey dress. We were all pretty tired.
Here are some women’s collar patterns from about 1936.
Wed 4. We plan to go home tomorrow. Alice is invited to a luncheon—a “no-hostess luncheon” today. I want to see the pastor of Lestie church and also Mr. & Mrs. Roberts today.
A “no-hostess luncheon” is one in which attendees each pay for their own meal.
Thu 5. John & Alice, Tell & I started for Grants Pass at 8:45 AM this morning. We arrived home about 5:45. We had a nice drive. It was very foggy this AM when we started but got to be a lovely day. We ate our dinner at Cottage Grove. Bob & Ruth came out and built the fires and got supper. They will stay all night.
Cottage Grove is about halfway between Salem and Grants Pass. The town has preserved a good bit of its historic district and is a frequent location for movie scenes, including the railroad trestle scene in Stand By Me and the parade scene from Animal House.
Fri 6. We went to Grants Pass this morning. Found the Kesterson deal all blown over. We are so disappointed as were counting so much on this. Gertie sold our chickens while we were gone. Got about $60 out of them. I am almost sick today. Gerald wrote such a blue letter. I do not see how we can help them any.
Sat 7. This has been a lovely day. John & Alice, Tell & I drove into Grants Pass. We also drove out to see Rainbow Ranch. We asked Bob & Ruth out for dinner tomorrow. We got a small roast. Do not know just what we are going to do. Am so sorry Dad does what he does. It make me feel like giving up SS & everything. How can the Lord honor us when we do not honor him.
Rainbow Ranch on the Redwood Highway was Emma and Tell’s first home in Grants Pass. Unfortunately, they are continuing to struggle and are trying to figure out what comes next.
Sun 8. John & Alice, Tell & I drove into SS & church today. John talked a bit in SS. Ruth was in a missionary playlet. Bob & Ruth came out for dinner. We all went in to church.
Mon 9. This is a beautiful morning. We got a letter from Berne. He wondered if we would be interested in 30 acres of land near Woodburn. We plan to move in with Bob and Ruth this weekend.
Woodburn is about halfway between Salem and Portland, in the rich terrain of the Willamette Valey. Emma and Tell did not end up going there.
Tue 10. Ruth was not well today. We brought her out home with us. Bob went after yew wood. He came out here after practice tonite. He did not go after yew but went up to where it grows.
Pacific yew is a small evergreen with wood that is highly prized for a wide range of uses. It is also a source of a compound called Taxol used in cancer treatment.
Wed 11. We three women were alone for dinner as Bob went after yew wood and John took Dad to Roseburg for dinner. In the evening we went to choir practice at seven & heard the Piney Woods quartette at eight. We did not get home till late.
In August 1930 we learned about this group—here’s a newspaper story from their Oregon tour in 1937.
Thu 12. We came into town yesterday. I got me a hat for $1.95. It is a black and white straw. Am fixing over my summer coat. Alice gave me twenty dollars this evening. Think I will get my teeth fixed with this money.
When I did a search for “woman straw hat 1936,” I came up with this Picasso painting! If you want to see some actual women’s hat fashions from the period, here’s a Ladies’ Home Journal article.
Fri 13. We brought John and Alice to the train this AM. They plan to stay in Portland over Sunday. Bob & Ruth staid all night. They also went to the train. Alice gave Ruth $5.00. Dad went back home and I am staying in with Ruth. Dad came in for me. We went to see a movie of Frank Buck’s wild animals. Bob & Ruth went to choir practice.
Frank Buck was a hunter and animal collector—he brought exotic animals back to the US for zoos, circuses, etc. He also wrote books about his adventures and starred in a series of films based on his exploits. In the early 1980s a TV series called Bring ‘Em Back Alive was partially based on his books and adventures.
Sat 14. We staid at home today. Went to Rogue River after some meat & also toward evening.
Sun 15. SS & church. Took dinner in to Ruth. Dad & Bob came out to milk. Church at night. Home after church tired out. Invited for dinner at Mrs. VanEst.
Mon 16. Louise came out to stay all night. Bob & Ruth came for breakfast. We did a big washing. Bob hauled in two loads of wood. Louise went home with them. I went as far as “Primrose’s” & came back with Tell.
Tue 17. We came to town in the PM. Found Ruth & Robert about ready to go to the Caves Camp with the preacher. I went to the church to help awhile with the taffy pull.
The Oregon Caves are south of Grants Pass. I’m guessing there was a church group going to camp there. Around this time the Civilian Conservation Corps was doing significant work there, including building a six-story hotel called the Chateau. Here’s a fascinating site about the caves and the chateau, which is undergoing a significant amount of restoration.
Wed 18. We came into town to a choir pot luck supper. We practiced afterwards. We keep talking about moving into town.
Thu 19. [no entry]
Fri 20. [no entry]
Sat 21. Ruth & Robert came after a load of wood & Ruth & I decided to move this PM. We got all moved except for some wood. I wanted to buy a bed but Dad would not let me. Betty will play over the Radio from Portland this PM. Will let us know.
As we’ve seen in earlier entries, radio was a major source of entertainment at this time, and there were quite a few local programs with live performers. Here’s a fascinating article about the history of radio in Portland.
Sun 22. We went to SS & church this morning. I taught my class. After church the Ishams & we went to the VanEst home for dinner. Had a big dinner. Went for a ride with Ishams after dinner. Robert and Ruth were in a play at the church.
Mon 23. Ruth & I have been trying to get things straightened up & put away.
Tue 24. I went up to Mrs. Isham’s this PM to help her quilt. In the evening I went with Bob & Ruth to the library & and afterwards to the school house to hear the Medford Orchestra.
According to this story, the Medford Junior Symphony was founded in 1936 and played in Grants Pass in March.
Wed 25. Got up & went to Mrs. Ishams for a day of quilting. Walked there again today. Robert came after me. Dad went out to Caesar’s to do some carpenter work. Earned $1.50.
Thu 26. Dad went out to Caesars to work again today. I did the washing by hand and was pretty tired. Took a bath and slept awhile, then went up to Ishams to quilt this PM. Ruth asked Mary Graff and her father for supper—we had stew. Robert also gave Roberta Borland her lesson. We have been hearing from Chris every day in regards to the trip we made a year ago.
I found this obituary of Roberta, who would have been a high school student at this time. She went on to be a long-time music lover and supporter of the arts. Nice to know that my grandfather Robert (who I knew as Papa) was part of her journey.
Fri 27. Dad worked again today. It was cold and rainy. Bob, Ruth & I washed the back porch. We went to choir practice at night. Dad was too tired to go. I wrote Katharine, Alice & John, Chris & Mrs. Daggett.
Sat 28. Took a voice lesson this AM from Bob. We did the ironing.
Sun 29. Went to church & SS. Also to class meeting & church at night. Went out to the old place in the PM.
Mon 30. Spent most of today crocheting.
Tue 31. I went to Gerties to sew on Ruth’s skirt & dress today. Brought Jane home to stay with me while Gertie helped at the church. She did not come after her till 11:45. Am crocheting a center piece for Mrs. Isham.
Just for fun, here’s a tutorial on crocheting a centerpiece in case you want to see what Emma was up to.
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I hope you’ve enjoyed this installment of Emma’s journals. See you next week for April 1936.