8A COTTAGE GROVE SENTINEL MARCH 29, 2017
Cottage Grove: A Look Back
The current population of Cottage Grove stands at 9,795. Once the city hits 10,000, a slew of changes must be made to accommodate the new population as mandated by state law. Our water system
will be updated, our trash collection will change and our neighborhoods will grow just a bit more. But before we offi cially reach that magic number of 10,000, let's take a look back at how we got here.
Over the next year, The Sentinel will feature this column once a month examining the milestones that made Cottage Grove the vibrant, historical town it is today. With the help of the local historical
society and the stories of those before us, we will visit the decisions, construction and consequences of the city's growth. From its beginnings as Slabtown to the mining craze, to the impact of particular
local families and their contributions, to the installation of Interstate 5, local chain stores and the contruction and housing crash. In 30 years, Cottage Grove has developed its own style and voice but
in the days before we fi nd ourselves stretching towards the future again, let's take a look back at how we became Cottage Grove: The city on the verge of 10,000.
T
he story goes that George Ramsey and James Johnson killed an "Indi-
By Caitlyn May
an." They did it in Roseburg and no one knows says why. It was 1863.
cgsentinel.com
By the time they stopped running, they made it to Calapooya Moun-
tains. It was by accident that they found the gold.
They call it the "Discovery Phase" now but in 1864 through 1880, things were just growing at the
Bohemia Mining District. In the 16 years that we now describe as one of the three eras that defi ne
the development of the district, more than 100 claims were staked and the Miner's Code of Laws was
adopted.
Long after the gold was gone and the seekers came down from the mines, Cottage Grove continued
to grow, partly due to the golden foundation the mining industry helped create.
A year after George and James sought refuge from their own sins in the area, prospectors turned out
for their chance to fi nd their own shiny piece of the future. They utilized sluice boxes and discovered
high-grade ore with values estimated at $30,000 a ton. They discovered mine after mine including the
Musick Mine, Champion and Annie. The fi rst telephone line came via Frank Jordan. The fi rst signs of
a lull, via 1919.
Before the lull, though, the mines funded life in Cottage Grove. The Musick Mine was particularly
active for at least eight months, growing into a small city complete with a chute, sawmill and bunk-
houses. Descendants of Musick Mine's workers still call Cottage Grove today, in part because of the
fi nancial windfall the mines created for the city just 35 miles southeast.
Life was good. Mostly until 1929 for reasons that, unlike the "Indian's" apparent crime that warrant-
ed death, have long made the history books.
In 1939, Higgins and Hinsdale leased the district again and created a new fl oating mill at Champion
Mine leading to the discovery of gold, silver, lead, copper and zinc.
Today, much of the past is in disrepair. The gold, less than valuable if it can be reached. But for vis-
itors, the Bohemia Mining District still provides a view.
Armory lead threats exaggerated , no public health risk
Despite recent reports to the
contrary, there is no immediate
health threat being caused by
lead and asbestos levels in the
Cottage Grove Armory. Also, local offi cials and or-
ganizers are not worried.
"We knew there would be asbestos and lead when
we purchased the building," Cottage Grove City
Manager Richard Meyers said, noting the recent sto-
ry in a Eugene media outlet that alleged lead tests
raised concerns about health risks.
Moreover, Meyers said the city no longer tests ar-
eas of the building while doing restoration work.
"We just treat it as if there is lead paint. It's an old
building and we're going to assume there's lead," he
said.
The city purchased the armory in 2010 and re-
ceived a hygiene assessment that reported lead and
asbestos in the building.
Of all the areas that tested positive for the danger-
ous substance, none of them were located in the fi ring
range, despite regional media outlets coverage of the
issue in other armory locations.
"Where they would shoot the guns, at the end of
the space, they poured new concrete that is six inch-
es thick," Meyers said, noting that if the ammunition
contained traces lead, it was properly sealed under
the latest layer of concrete and no longer a threat to
the public's health.
Reports concerning the building's high lead levels
note that the kitchen counter tested positive for the
substance. However, the reports do not take into ac-
count the current use for the areas, according to Mey-
ers.
"That hasn't been used as a kitchen in decades. It
was used as storage when it was tested," Meyers said.
"In fact, when the guy who was doing the windows
was here, he was using it as a workspace too."
Vintage Window Restoration, the company tasked
with replacing the aging windows, was certifi ed and
licensed to handle lead and, according to Meyers, all
companies that work in the building will need the
same credentials.
"They're trained in how to dispose of it," Meyers
said, noting the companies specialized equipment.
While the armory has tested above acceptable lev-
els of lead in some locations around the building,
Meyers said other explanations
for the positive tests exist.
"One spot tested high but it's
right along the double doors and
right outside the double doors
were painted stairs and that
paint, no doubt, had lead in it,"
he said.
The continued restoration of
the armory, according to Mey-
ers, will take into account the
positive tests but he noted that
reports which claim worry over
health concerns are exaggerat-
ed.
Elizabeth Chandra LaHusen
Plans for the armory's future
were released earlier this year
Thank you to all of my clients
with organizers revealing a sec-
for your many years of support.
ond, street-level entrance, an
elevator and other upgrades that
I have had the pleasure to serve you
would bring the building into
and wish you continued health
compliance with the American
and peace of mind.
with Disabilities Act. Also on
the list for restoration are the
building's restrooms and main
Even though I am retiring
entrance.
I look forward
The building is expected to
to our continued friendships.
serve as a community center
Warmly, Chandra
and has already played host to a
chamber banquet and retirement
Nicole will continue to schedule clients.
celebrations.
By Caitlyn May
cmay@cgsentinel.com
Despite reports from Eugene that note worry over armory lead levels, the city says all precautions are being taken
Pictured:Vintage Window Restoration completing the armory's window project. Photos courtesy of Facebook.
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