Oregon Historic Landmarks: Willamette ValleyDaughters of the American Revolution. Oregon Society
History
Oregon Historic Landmarks: Willamette Valley
Daughters of the American Revolution. Oregon Society
Historic sites -- Oregon
After about ten years, the Condons left The Dalles, going to Forest
Grove, where Dr. Condon taught at the college awhile. In 1876, he was
asked to become a member of the first faculty of the University of
Oregon and became head of the Natural Science Department, later the
Department of Geology. In the latter capacity, he opened up the John Day
“fossil beds” and adjacent regions to scientists from all over the
world; he also contributed much to the literature in his field, one of
his best-known works being his book, “Two Islands.” Condon Hall and
Condon Museum of Geology on the University of Oregon campus bear his
name, as does also the chapel in the First Congregational Church of
Eugene.
Dr. Condon, a scholarly man and a very fine teacher, possessed also a
fine sense of humor. In addition, he manifested a warm interest in, and
a kind of sympathetic understanding of, the people with whom he came in
contact. The Condons opened their home to faculty, students,
world-famous scientists, ministers, neighbors, and friends, with true
hospitality. Mrs. Condon always shared her husband’s activities.
The Christian House
_Josephine Evans Harpham_
[Illustration: (uncaptioned)]
The historic house at 170 East 12th was built by Daniel Christian, III,
about 1855. In 1852, a year of great westward emigration, Daniel
Christian, III, his wife, and five children, joined a party of over 100
wagons headed by Samuel and John Alexander, whose destination was
Oregon. This well-managed train encountered few real difficulties. It
was well supplied with dried fruits, berries, corn, and flour, while the
cows provided milk, cream, and butter. They escaped the dread cholera
and had no trouble with Indians. However, a young chief, seeing Daniel’s
pretty daughter, tried to bargain for her. Fearing that the Indian might
steal her, she was hidden in another wagon until the young brave gave up
following them. Six months after beginning their trek westward, they
reached the Columbia River and proceeded down it by flat boat to The
Dalles. From there they proceeded by primitive railway—with wooden rails
and mules for power—and on by steamboat to Portland. After a short stay,
the Christians settled for the winter in East Tualatin.
The following fall, Daniel III acquired a donation land claim, 160 A, in
the Eugene area, later known as the Christian Addition. Here upon a
choice spot, a log cabin was built, being replaced two years later by
the frame house.
The eldest grandchild of the Christians, the late Irena Dunn Williams,
handed down to her children—Mrs. Howard Hall of Eugene and Mrs. Wallace
Hannah of Vancouver, Washington—many stories of the happy times spent
with her grandparents; memories of stirring apple butter in an old brass
kettle; of eating fresh-baked bread spread with delicious homemade
butter; of popping corn on winter evenings; and of Bible reading—for the
Christians were devout Methodists.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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