Category: Historical Documents

The Founding of Germaine

For several years, the pioneers who settled in the present site of Germaine had a very loose structure of governance. They were, after all, just a few neighboring families trying to survive on the harsh Central Oregon desert. These families all knew one another, got along relatively well, and had a tradition of consensus around major community decisions. It wasn’t until the late 1850’s, when the first newcomers began arriving in the Tamarack Valley, that the town began to consider the need for a formal city council. In July, 1859, the year of Oregon statehood, the town elected its first Mayor, Thomas Bradford. By that year, Germaine’s population had grown to 45. Two years later, Luke Charlebois discovered artesian water at the present day location of Charlebois Springs, and moved his family out to a new farm about 8 miles west of Germaine, reducing the population to 37. There it…

The Bradford Family

Germaine and Wilbur County have enjoyed the legacy of the Bradford family from the beginning. Nancy Horne Bradford came from an old Connecticut family and she was accustomed to traveling to New York City to the Opera and Ballet and visits to the museums there kindled a lifelong love of fine art. Nancy and Thomas met in New York City when he was there celebrating his graduation from Harvard. In addition to donation of grants to area artists and scholarships to deserving students, the Bradford Foundation supports local charities such as the Wilbur County Senior Center, Meals-on-Wheels, and The Double T Ranch for Troubled Teens. The Bradford family bible reveals a connection to some of the earliest American colonists. They are descended from William Bradford, Governor of the Plymouth Colony and Mayflower passenger. It is not a connection that our Germaine founder, Thomas Bradford, celebrated. He told his children that…

Will Gives Me a Compliment

Last night, we camped on the main fork of the Blue River. I was much too tuckered to write my diary, so I will try to remember about it. The traveling was pretty good both days, and the road was smoothe. Uncle Luke said that we are now about one day behind the Savannah Oregon Emigrating Company. Someone from that company talked to him, and asked if we would join them. Uncle Luke told Papa that they wanted too much money, and he was skeptical of their motives, but he would put it to the group.  Later, in the evening, the company was divided as usual. They voted with Papa to stay by ourselves, at least for now. No clamor in the night, because Papa and Mr. Pembrook didn’t hang any pots and pans. Thank Heavens! The weather today was good, although, for a moment, it threatened to rain. Annabelle…

A Clamor in the Night

The pots and pans made a horrible clamor in the middle of the night. Uncle Luke got up to see what it was, and it turned out to be a deer who had wandered into our camp.  Aunt Marie was consternated. She said if we are to be awakened every night by some curious creature happening onto our path, then it would become a nuisance. I must say that I quite agree with her.  Papa said that he and Mr. Pembrook would work on a solution.  It rained a little last evening, and we had to cross many small creeks today. Uncle Luke’s wagon became stuck in one. It took about an hour to dig it out of the mud. We traveled only 6 miles today.