Wednesday, September 27, 2017

Scappoose Historical Society Timeline

Scappoose Historical Society Timeline

1852       12 October, William Watts born 1803 KY, arrived in Oregon with his second wife Nancy Jane with whom he had two children Robert and Elizabeth; settled Donation Land Claim 1358, 10 December 1852. The claims were for 320 acres and an additional 320 acres for the wife. His son Benjamin M. (wrote Ben Watts Trail Log), had Donation Land Claim 1450. William had seven children from his first marriage to Elizabeth M. Naylor and all five sons came to Oregon including John W. (wrote “Foghorn” Diary), James W., Francis and Thomas. William with his third wife, Mary Ann Butterworth, had four children Henry Clay (his daughter Alice Mary Watts wrote about the family in 1981), Ewing Jolly, Isabelle (her daughter Ida Marion Strong Seggel wrote about the family in 1976) and Ida Ann.

1861       12 December James Washington Watts married Elizabeth Matilda Nessly, parents of Minnie Annette, James Grant and William Thomas; Elizabeth later married John Ralph Watts a cousin of James Washington Watts.

1872       14 August death of James Washington Watts.

1873       27 April marriage of Elizabeth Matilda Watts to John Ralph Watts. Three daughters born to them: Lillie May Perry, Marie Ellen Eskridge and Maude Elizabeth Collier (wrote about the family in 1976).

1864       23 October James Grant Watts born in Scappoose, Oregon. (Wrote history of Scappoose 1852-1934)

1868       25 December Arizona Rosamund Ewing born in DesMoines, Iowa.

1888       2 February Daniel (Dee) William Price married Minnie Annette Watts.

1890       17 September James Grant Watts married Arizona Rosamund (Rose) Ewing.

1891       4 June birth of son Raymond Ewing Watts, who died 16 June 1904.

1894       25 April birth of daughter Hazel Mildred Watts who married Rev. Vernon Walter Cooke 16 May 1917.

1898       20 December birth of daughter Helen Lucille who married Reverdy Mead Clothier 1 January 1924.

1902     James Grant Watts built Watts house in Scappoose, Oregon.

1905       1 February birth of son James Loring Watts who married Irene K. Leach 12 March 1938. (Wrote about the family in 1976)
                
               16 April death of John Ralph Watts, second husband of Elizabeth Matilda Watts.

1909       Cook book produced by the Columbia County Ladies Aid Society.

1920       2 January death of Elizabeth Matilda Nessly Watts. Scappoose Street named for her. Will in Columbia Co. She bequeathed land for public schools.

                13 April first special election held, J G Watts elected first mayor

1921       13 July City of Scappoose Incorporated and adopted its first charter, voted on Aug. 13 at Watts and Price Hall, Scappoose, Oregon, formally adopted November 1, 1921

1922       City water system complete

1924       Street lights installed

                Cook book produced by the Scappoose Ladies Aid Society.

1927       Electricity connected to homes

1928       Scappoose Garden Club Organized

1929       Library started by Rose Watts, Caroline Dorris and Lena Burg, November 29 tea, over 100 books donated.

1931      Fire at Watts and Price store, library books moved to Watts home

1938       22 April Scappoose Garden Club reorganized. Gladys Wheeler President, Rose Watts Vice-President, Amy Frakes Secretary-Treasurer.

1956       24 April James Grant Watts died.

1958      Scappoose Public Library built as part of Fire Station building, dedication October 20, books to be moved
by the high school students. About 4,000 to 5,000 books. Corner stone placed with items of interest.

1959       31 January Rose Watts died.
                
               Beverly Kennedy became librarian and would serve for over thirty years, retiring in 1992.

1969       June 26 – City of Scappoose purchased the Watts house from James Loring Watts and Irene L. Watts for $20,000. About this time it is estimated that there were 16,000 books in the library.

1974       October - Formed society, city moved offices into Watts house
                
               December 3 – Society members met with City Council
                
               December 5 – Society incorporated with non-profit status, Mary Pintarich president, chairperson

1975       January 21 – Society met with city and established guidelines
               
               September 29 – Society bylaws adopted

6 October – Council behind society 1976 project to rejuvenate the Watts house, received grant, society to oversee the museum

1977       June 24 – Children’s Museum opened, overseen by the Woman’s Club of Scappoose

1980       February 19 – Watts house designated first historic landmark of Scappoose
                
              November 28 – Watts house place on National Register of Historic Places

1981       January 5 – Watts house recognized by State Historic Preservation Office

1983       May 2 – Final Woman’s Club meeting, turned over Children’s Museum and funding to Scappoose Historical Society, copy of minutes

1987       December 5 – Watts house non-profit status reinstated by Oregon Corporation Division

1988       42 members
                
               March 3 – Vivian R. Urie president, chairperson and registered agent of society

1989       June 20 – Irene Watts a member of the society is quoted, “Home was purchased by the city with the understanding it was a historical site and would become a museum eventually.”
                
               June 20 Board minutes of Scappoose Historical Society

1997       20 members
                
               November 22 – The 22 year relationship between city and the society, city report
                
               Scappoose High School advanced wood working class and instructor donated their time to construct the display cases, Scappoose Woman’s Club treasury provided funds, Scappoose Senior Citizens donated a quilt that they made as a bicentennial project

2004       ReAnna Sharp president of society

2006       29 members

2012       Barbara Hayden president of society

2016       Elaine Thompson president of society, 24 members


2017       Karen Holmberg president of society

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