Old Detroit’s Fight to Retain the Southern Pacific Railroad
From the founding of Old Detroit in 1889, the Southern Pacific Railroad embodied the economic and social lifeblood of this community. Residents relied on the railway to transport their goods and connect their town with the greater Willamette Valley. However, in 1945, the United States Government and the Southern Pacific Company almost decimated Old Detroit’s…
Hydropower- Enough Energy to Go Around!
Hydropower has been a driving force behind the evolution of dam development, finding its modest origins in ancient civilizations, evolving to become the fourth largest producer of energy worldwide. Its enduring presence significantly shapes the narrative of inundated communities. The allure of dependable, eco-friendly energy sources spurred government agencies to construct immense hydroelectric dams across…
The Impact of the Pacific Railroad on the Pacific Northwest
Asa Whitney and other Americans advocated for a railroad connecting the Pacific Northwest to the rest of the United States and transforming the region into an economic powerhouse. This proposed railroad would provide settlers access to Eastern markets and inexpensive transportation options for their goods. However, transcontinental railroads in the Pacific Northwest did not fully…
The Inaugural History Jamboree!
The Atlas project embodies a dedication to collaboration, aiming to integrate stakeholders’ voices in historical narratives and foster reflection on lost communities. Through the History Jamboree, participants can engage with unseen historical materials, offer their stories, and learn more about the project. Collaboration is at the heart of the Atlas. Our goal is to offer…
Meet our Graduate Assistant, Rebecca Mills
Hello! My name is Rebecca Mills, and I am one of the graduate assistants for the Atlas of Drowned Towns team. I joined the Atlas in August 2023 and will remain on the team for the next two years. I am originally from Caldwell, Idaho, and received my B.A. in History from the University of…
The Great Depression in the Pacific Northwest– The Human Cost of Infrastructure Development
The Great Depression’s effect in the Pacific Northwest revealed the human cost of New Deal policies and the displacement they wrought. Although FDR’s attempt at stabilizing the economy did provide the much-needed relief for men and women across the nation, infrastructure projects like large dams resulted in the displacement of communities throughout the Pacific Northwest.…
Restorative Waters—Breitenbush Hot Springs
Nestled in the tall evergreens of the Cascade Mountains lies a group of geothermal springs that have attracted visitors for generations. Breitenbush Hot Springs are situated in a natural clearing along the Breitenbush River some twelve miles northeast of Detroit, Oregon. To this day, visitors continue to enjoy the curative powers of the mineral water…
Trees Aplenty- Logging in the Pacific Northwest
The Pacific Northwest’s logging industry brought thousands to its dense forests. The environmental and social effects of logging were significant as ghost towns and stripped-down forests were left in the wake of loggers. The town of Detroit served as the home of many loggers in the Willamette Valley who, alongside the companies who employed them,…
Why Would We Want to Leave?
From the time Detroit was founded in the late nineteenth century to when it was inundated in 1953 by the construction of Detroit Dam, the town and surrounding area was a place that was lived in and loved by many people. From the original residents of the North Santiam Canyon (read about them here) to…
The Willamette Valley Project— Old Detroit’s Inundation on the eve of the Dam Building Boom
The Willamette Valley Project, and the towns it drowned, are currently at the center of the Atlas of Drowned Towns research focus. The town of Old Detroit, a small unincorporated community along the North Santiam River, was a victim of dam construction that many in the Willamette Valley were thrilled see built. The Willamette Valley…
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