News!
New to our website for 2008 is a discussion Forum. We hope to provide you with a place to discuss history, and post any questions you may have. We have also added a Guestbook so please take a moment to leave a message.
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The March Executive Committee meeting will be held in the Log Cabin at the fairgrounds on March 4, 2008, at 1 p.m.
The Union County Historical Society meeting for March is Saturday, March 8th, 2008. Potluck at 12 Noon. The program will start at 12:45 p.m. Our program guest speaker this month is Gerald "Jerry" Young who will speak about his family's early ice plant in La Grande.
If you have an email address and are not on our email lists, please let us know and we will add you!
Excerpt from Feb/March 08 Newsletter:
1948 Automobiles
By
Gary Webster
You may recall that I mentioned in last month's County Historian that I, in cleaning out a desk drawer of my parents, ran across a 72 page, 18 inch by 22 inch edition of the La Grande Evening Observer from 1948. This was a full 60 years ago.
As I mentioned, many of the articles were intriguing, at least to me. Equally interesting were many advertisements of that period. On page 7 of the 8 page automotive section were 2 separate ads extolling new automobiles just released on the market. The ads were side by side and of equal size, 10-inch width by 16-inch length. First, the Buick dealer, F. C. Perkins, with a picture of the new 4-door sedan, and the following in large letters: "A TOUCH AND YOU GO THAT'S DYNAFLOW."
Following, in smaller letters: "It's goodbye to gear shifting. You simply start your engine, press your accelerator and move smoothly on your way. You can slow down or speed up or halt completely and your right foot operating brake and accelerator does it all. For very fast starts, extreme uphill pulls, you flick the selector lever and your engine seems to double the power. Nothing can compare with Dynaflow for transmitting power. No fixed gear combinations, but a source of smooth power as needed, cushioned by oil. Only Buick has Dynaflow. Ask us to explain its operation to you completely... and take you for a demonstration ride."
Further down in the ad was added (in bold letters): "HERE'S OUR BUICK FOUR - SQUARE SELLING POLICY:" 1. NO PRICE PADDING. You receive an itemized bill of sale. We display all prices in our showroom. 2. NO LOADING OF ACCESSORIES. All cars are delivered with accessories as ordered, and no extras except those you specify. 3. NO COMPLIMENTARY TRADE-IN. We will accept your order and deliver your car with or without a car in trade. 4. NO COLLISION WITH 'GRAY MARKETEERS.' We will not knowingly sell Buick cars to anyone who operates a "gray market."
F. C. Perkins Buick Dealer was located on the southwest corner of 4th and Adams, where Blockbuster Videos is located today.
Next to the Perkins Buick ad was an ad by EARLE'S MOTOR COMPANY, the Oldsmobile dealer, located at 3rd and Adams, with an equally appealing picture of the new Oldsmobile, and also in bold print: "JUST STEP ON THE GAS... AND WHIRLAWAY." Followed in small print:
"There's a thrill in driving an ultra-modern Oldsmobile really worth waiting for. No clutch pushing, no gear shifting when you drive the Hydra-matic way. For an extra burst of pick-up, just step all the way down on the accelerator... it's perfect for passing, ideal for hills, vital for emergencies. It's an outstanding safety factor, another plus-performance feature of the famous Oldsmobile. Many are being delivered to anxious customers, but the demand is far ahead of the supply."
How times have changed since the last covered wagons lurched across plains and mountains for 2,000 miles from Missouri to Oregon. Sixty years have passed since the first cars with automatic transmissions began rolling off assembly lines. Only five decades prior to 1948, the last Prairie Schooners pulled by oxen or horses or mules were still wending their way westward to Oregon.
Our History...
On July 27, 1930 a group of people interested in local history met at the home of Cornelia Pierce. This was the beginning of the Union County Historical Society although a formal organization was not formed until March 8, 1933.
Our Mission...
The purpose of the Union County Historical Society is to cause investigations of historical events and to record the facts concerning same; to secure biographical sketches of people who have taken part in the development of Union County, Oregon; to collect facts and recollections of incidents of past times; to secure and file records, documents and written and printed histories of earlier settlers and times of the county; to establish the location of historic spots; to erect markers and monuments; and to rent, lease, erect, or purchase and maintain suitable places for filing, displaying, and preserving the records, files, and property placed in the care of the Society for preservation.
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