100 YEARS AGO

May 14, 1925

The proposed extension of the Oregon Trunk railroad to the south, will place Central Oregon, temporarily at least, in the limelight. It is hard to say how much the benefit derived from this development will mean to this section, but it is a safe bet that it will mean something to us as well as to Bend, which will naturally receive the temporary increase of business during the period of actual construction.

When the road is extended Madras will be located on a main line and have all the benefits of good traveling service arising therefrom. This service would bring to this section many persons who would never otherwise take the trip, since instead of taking the Southern Pacific south into California, our sight seeing tourist might prefer the trip through the Central Oregon region where he could view mountain scenery as wonderful, if not as well advertised, as in any other part of the scenic mountain world.

The extension of this railroad will furnish an outlet for all farm produce that can be raised in Central Oregon and the new market created to the south will furnish something of the same impetus to the Central Oregon farmer as the rush of the forty-niners afforded to the growth of farming in the Willamette Valley. The very fact that a large and ready market will be created, will be one more reason, and a big one, why the lands of the north Unit should be irrigated and made to supply the demands of this new market.

This locality can not but in a measure help but feel the reflection of business stimulation during the period of construction. While we may realize no direct benefit from construction work carried on south of Bend, we can not help but realize some benefit in an indirect way. Railroad development brings boom times and this wave of prosperity will be felt indirectly by all the neighboring towns.

Central Oregon has upon it the eyes of the railroad world and we shall benefit thereby.

70 YEARS AGO

May 12, 1955

Bruce Nichols, 32, Madras, never lived on a farm until 1949, but in 1955, he was named the runner-up in a contest by the Oregon Junior Chamber of Commerce to find the state’s outstanding young farmer.

He was edged out by Roger A. Dumdi, 34, Yamhill, for the title which will give him an expense-paid trip to the national contest June 1 to 3 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Third place went to Lloyd Forster of Tangent.

In 1949, Nicholes borrowed enough money to buy 160 acres of raw land in Jefferson County and began the development of the modern irrigated farm he now operates.

During his first year on his new farm, he, his wife and son lived in a tent house until better living quarters could be built.

Now Nicholes’ investment has grown from a pick-up truck and a $34,000 debt to assets of $120,000. His net worth is figured at $100,000. He has built a machine shed, shop, a 5000-bushel capacity granary, a 900-ton potato storage, a tenant house and is currently building his own new house.

He feeds out cattle for market and has facilities at the present to handle 100 head of feeders and 100 head of weaners.

Active in Community

In spite of the work involved in his success as a farmer, Nicholes has had time to become active in community affairs. He is a member of the Jefferson County farm crops planning committee, Jefferson County Airport commission, Jefferson County Junior Chamber of Commerce (past president), Parent-Teachers Association, Jefferson County Seed Growers, Farm Bureau, Jefferson County Livestock Association, Gray Butte Grazing Association, Oregon Seed League, and Jefferson County Rod and Gun club.

Nicholes will be a guest of honor at the state Jaycee meeting My, 14, 15, and 16 in bend.

The contest was limited to farmers between ages of 21 and 35.

50 YEARS AGO

May 8, 1975

Warm Springs Volunteer Firemen were called to two fires over the weekend, including one which burned former Simnasho School.

Tribal policemen Warren Smith notified the fire department of the school blaze about 5 p.m. Saturday afternoon. The weathered, frame, one-classroom school was destroyed by the fire which was apparently started by children playing with matches.

The structure was unoccupied and firemen were able to prevent the blaze from spreading to other community buildings.

Simnasho school children in grades one to four currently attend classes in the more modern two-classroom building constructed in 1953. The first school in the community was built in 1881. It was also destroyed by a fire which occurred in October, 1895. After a few years another building, the structure which burned Saturday, was erected. The school operated until World War I, again prior to World War II, and then during the 1950’s. It was again reopened in 1972.

The second recent reservation fire was reported at 1:10 a.m. Monday. An older 13-foot trailer adjacent to the West Hills Subdivision home of Johnnie Howtopat was destroyed by the blaze which probably started when bedding close to an electric heater caught fire.

Two boys sleeping in the trailer escaped without injury.

According to fire chief Fiala, the blaze also damaged the carport side of the home. Residents of the house were able to pull the trailer away from the house and were using a garden hose on the fire when firemen arrived.

25 YEARS AGO

May 10, 2000

Relive the exciting days when Shaniko was the railroad hub of Central Oregon during the Shaniko Line Railway Centennial Celebration, May 13.

The event marks the 100th anniversary of the day the first train arrived in Shaniko. Besides

bringing many settlers to the area, the railhead at Shaniko helped it to become the inland wood shipping capital of the world from 1900 to 1911.

For the centennial celebration, the current residents of Shaniko will re-create history by dressing in costumes of the early 1900s or Western wear, and out of town guests are invited to join in the fun by doing the same.

The Aloha Western Oregon Lines model railroad club will operate a new 14×26-foot exhibit near the Shaniko Hotel, and entertainment will include Don Hanna’s five-piece country band, and the River City Dudes barbershop quartet from The Dalles.

Exhibits will feature historical railroad photos, lanterns, locks, and other memorabilia, while browsing tables will hold books about Shaniko, albums of rare historic photos, and authors will be on hand to sign their books. For a souvenir, photographer Howard Harrison will take photos of people in costume.