|
Offers A Most Alluring Picture The Itemizer-Observer, Dallas, Oregon, Thursday, July 14, 1966-Page 3 By Mildred Wray ..... Falls City is known as the "Queen City of Polk County." With its graphic Coast Range mountains for a background and the beautiful valley lands, which make a most alluring picture, it beckons out-of-staters looking for a location to live. It offers numerous opportunities not the least of which is of a mild climate and good rich soil. .....One of the early settlers, John Throp, and his son constructed a grist mill in 1852. The Little Luckiamute furnished the power for the mill, until he moved it to Rickreall in 1865. .....In 1889 H. S. Montgomery moved here from Allentown, PA., and purchased 600 acres of land on the south side and dedicated 160 to the city. This is now known as the Montgomery addition and explains how Falls City has two Main streets, North and South. .....Mr Montgomery and sons, George and John, built the first sawmill, located on the south side of town where the Atlas mill sat until it burned a few years ago. The Montgomery's logged with oxen. The logs were hauled on a skid road. A large mill was built by A. F. Lucas and Wm. Bryan in 1901 and later sold to Cobb and Mitchell of Portland. The operated it until 1919 when it was moved to Valsetz. At the present time there is no mill here. .....From 1910 thru 1920 Falls City was at its height of business and population, boasting of two hotels, mens clothing, hardware, confectionary, two grocery-drug stores, bakery, skating rink, dance hall, newspaper, creamery, cannery, two saloons, doctor and dentist. .....Before the town was named folk walked a mile east to pick up their mail at the home of Frank K. Hubbard. He was acting postmaster at that time. It was called the Cyrcuse post office and later was moved to Falls City in connection with the M. L. Thompson drug store. Thompson acted as postmaster at that time. Richard Bowman is now post-master. .....The town was incorporated in 1903 and Frank Hubbard acted as mayor. The Charter was granted by the 22nd regular session of the State Legislative Assembly of Oregon. The charter has been amended twice since then and brought up to date. The legal part is acted under the original charter. .....The council now meets the first Monday of each month. Mrs. G. E. Wilson is judge and recorder; Willard Dunaway, Mayor; Willard Hatch, Gene Ludhe, Art Mack, Wm. Ballard, Al Yound, and Adolph Kallestad, councilmen, Ted Enearl, police officer. There are two grocery stores, drug and variety store, tavern, cafe, two gas stations, four churches, four lodges, and three schools. .....The first school was a small building across from where the high school now stands on North Main street. It was named "The Syrcuse School". In 1892 a high and grade school combined was built where the grade school is located. It burned in 1938. The town is proud of its school's record. Many graduates are now doctors, dentists, teachers and lawyers. One girl is now a Major in the Army. The principals of the schools now are Herchel Bond, elementary and J. Johnson, high school. .....Falls City has a volunteer fire department which is ever on the alert. Bill Ames is fire chief. .....Years ago one major fire was fought with a bucket brigade, three business buildings were burned at the time. Later the fires were fought with a hose cart pulled by hand. Ed Brown, now deceased, built the first hose truck from a model A Ford. .....The railroad was built and completed to Falls City in 1903 and later the track was continued to Black Rock. It was known as "The Salem, Falls City and Western Ry." It was later sold to the Sothern Pacific, the track was torn out last year. .....Falls City has two beautiful parks, City and Riverside. Many improvments have been accomplished the past several years for the streets, parks and beautifying the city in general. Much credit can be given Mrs. Wilson since she has been in office. .....Falls City welcomes anyone concerned, to visit and see the possibilities it has to offer for business as well as homes. A wonderful place to grow fruit, berries, grain and vegetables. Also a hunter's and fisherman's paradise. |