The decorations on the Astor column on Coxcomb Hill, Astoria, are being restored under the direction of Attilio Pusterla, New York artist who made the original carvings. The column was erected in 1926 by the Great Northern Railway and Vincent Astor. The scroll of historical subjects etched in the column has been almost obliterated on one side from the force of the south west winds. When the design is re-etched Mr. Pusterla will cover the column with a thin coating of fine cement, which will be a permanent protection against the weather.
A varied program offered entertainment at the Territorial Days celebration at Oregon City, August 21-22, 1936. Dedication of markers at historic sites, an exhibition of early day costumes, parades and races were some of the events of the occasion. An especially interesting edition of the Oregon City Enterprise was issued August 20, containing interesting bits of history of Clackamas County.
A historical pageant entitled "The March of Progress," was presented at Tillamook, July 31, August 1 and 2, 1936. The pageant, written by George Natanson, was based on actual historical episodes and depicted dramatic and important events in the pioneer life of Tillamook County. Many of the participants were pioneers and descendants of the characters portrayed.
A document uncovered at Saint Helens in the historical document survey tells the history of the bell that hung in a bell tower in the town of Saint Helens. The bell was purchased by subscription and hung in a fifteen-foot tower. It was used to announce church services, fires and other occasions. To prevent the ringing of the bell by children or other unauthorized persons there was no rope attached and the official bell ringer had to climb the tower and ring it by hand.
That McMinnville was incorporated in 1876, instead of 1882, as recorded on the city seal, was learned when the first charter was discovered by a field worker of the historic records survey. The latter date refers to another charter.
The United States congress approved a bill June 15, 1936 to provide $25,000 for the restoration of McLoughlin House at Oregon City. The Oregon legislature appropriated $5,500 with which the work was started. The present improvements will be finished in October, An additional sum of $25,000 will be sought from the government to buy more ground, build a curator's cottage and a heating plant.
The United States senate at the session June 18, 1936, authorized the striking of medals to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Whitman and Spalding missions.
Mrs. C. C. Geer of Salem is displaying a premium list of the first state fair, held at Oregon City, October, 1861, on the occasion of the diamond jubilee of the fair, September 7-13. The Oregon Historical Society has one of these pamphlets and several others for the sessions during the 1860s.
A complete history of early day transportation in the Pacific northwest is to be undertaken by the Rockefeller Foundation's social science research council. The task has been given to Dr. Oscar O. Winther, graduate of the University of Oregon and now of the faculty of Stanford University. Dr. Winther has just written Express and Stagecoach Days in California, which is reviewed in this issue of the Quarterly.
WEDDING ANNIVERSARIES
FERRELL, MR. AND MRS. D. H., Portland, August 26, 1936, 60th.
LOVE, MR. AND MRS. JAMES W., La Grande, August 18, 1936, 60th.
MEACHAN, MR. AND MRS. CHAUNCEY, Eugene, July 12, 1936, 65th.
