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About The independent. (Vernonia, Or.) 1986-current | View Entire Issue (July 18, 2001)
The INDEPENDENT, July 18, 2001 Page 7 Part of the upper Nehalem valley is destroyed with the Mist Store The Mist Store was called Libel’s Store in 1912, when this photo was taken. The U.S. Post Office operated in the store for several decades, but started in the private residence of a family named Jones. Mist was called Jonesborough, initially, then Esto, then Riverside and finally, Mist. And, yes, accord- ing to Mist native Shalmon Libel, it was named for the preva lent Oregon mist. Libel generously shared these old photos, and his considerable knowledge, with The INDEPENDENT. The photo below was taken in about 1915. It has been nearly two weeks since the Mist Store burned to the ground, but many people are still shocked and dismayed at the loss of the heart of this small, cohesive community. Considered the oldest con tinually operating business in Oregon, the Mist Store was built in 1888 (Despite what The Oregonian printed, it was not built in 1874.) for G.F. Lind gren. He sold the store in 1905 to John Libel, who operated it until 1921. John’s son, Shal- mon, was born in the store in 1919 and still lives in Mist. William H. Bridger, who bought the store from John Li bel, sold it in the mid 1940s to Walter Matthews and his broth- er-in-law, Ralph Condit. Mat thews bought out Condit and operated the store for several years. He remained in Mist, moving a few years ago to Clatskanie. Others operated the store until Al Cavanaugh took over to help his daughter, Julie Wister, whose husband had died in a car wreck. It was Cavanaugh who, in the early ‘60s, estab lished the café and the reputa tion for the “Best Hamburgers in Oregon.” Cavanaugh oper ated the store long enough that a whole generation of valley residents grew up during his tenure. The fire that destroyed the store resulted from cracked masonry in an old chimney that allowed flames to get up under the roof of the two-story build ing. The tinder-dry wood burned so rapidly that firefight ers could only concentrate on preventing it from spreading to surrounding structures. The present owner, John Fitch, plans to rebuild the Mist Store and valley residents are al ready busy with offers of help. Dowser Society convention The Northwest Territory So ciety of Dowsers will hold its 25th Annual International Dowsers Conference at the Columbia County Fairgrounds in St. Helens, August 10-12, in conjunction with members of the American Society of Dowsers and the Canadian Questers. River Serving the Community since 1993 R e tire m e n t R esidence An Alzheimer's Specialty Home Licensed • Class-II DONNA FOSTER - PROVIDER 16941 Timber Rd. East • Vernonia, OR 97064 • 503-429-1152 Master Dowsers and others whose expertise lies in the realms of subtle energies, will share their knowledge and wis dom with those who are inter ested in exploring various methods to enhance their awareness of the relationship that exists among all things. Sunnyside Cafe Sunday 3REAKFAST BUFFET 8 AM -1 P M * Adults.. $795 Seniors.. $695 Under 12 Menu Service Also Available $4 ORDERS TO GO: 503-429-4810 Open Daily 5 am-2 pm • 58360 Nehalem Hwy. S., Vernonia Conference fees are a dona tion of $15.00 per day per per son, $25.00 per weekend, if pre-registered, or $30.00 per weekend if you register at the Conference. Children under 12 are free. For more information, call Mary Browne at 503-774-1129.
