Living History Days, Experience History in Historic Oakland, Oregon

Living History Days, Experience History in Historic Oakland, Oregon Take a 'Step Back in Time' in the small town of Historic Oakland, Oregon where almost all of the town is on the National Historic Register.

Experience Oakland, it's historic buildings, 5-star Museum (open Thur - Sun), Mildred Kanipe Park & More! Come join us in Oakland, Oregon as we turn the hands of time back to the 1800's. Stroll along the streets of Oakland amid costumed characters such as the Sheriff, who may just arrest you and put you in jail. Enjoy seeing how things were done two centuries ago. See the blacksmith pounding out t

ools, or the ladies who are spinning their wool, or piecing together a quilt. Let the kids enjoy such hands-on activities as candle dipping, butter churning, wool carding, or washing clothes on a washboard. Check out the 2/3 scale covered wagon and the chuckwagon. Learn more about the Native American Tribes that lived in our area. See some of their crafts and their ways of life. There will be old-fashioned games, crafts and entertainment galore. See the old-time fiddlers in action, and a group of Can-Can girls as they dance on stage at the Old Turkey Hall. View Native American artifacts, along with a Mountain Man encampment complete with a tipi. See how a tomahawk is thrown & how a fire was started without matches. These are just some of the adventures that await you in the small historic town of Oakland, Oregon. Just 2 miles off of Hwy 5 at exit 138 (northbound) or 140 (southbound) we are a world away from all the hustle and bustle of 21-century big city life. Won't you join us for a few hours here in Oakland on September 17th? Head on out to the Civil War Reenactment at Mildred Kanipe Memorial Park, just outside of town and enjoy a day of action on the battlefields and in the encampments. The Civil War Reenactment is from September 16th (school kids only), and September 17th & 18th open to the general public. Make this a GREAT weekend to visit Oakland, Oregon. Your favorite place to take 'A Step Back in Time'
If you live in or around Oakland, and want to participate in this event, please contact: Conni Riley 541-315-8073 (text ok)

This is Living History!
05/20/2026

This is Living History!

The first Oakland Vacant to Vibrant installation is going up in the former Tolly’s building in downtown Oakland, filling the historic storefront with community-made portraits from local residents and Oakland students.

Here is some really fun early Oakland History...A building that was moved down from 'Old Town' in 1873.This photo is fro...
02/16/2026

Here is some really fun early Oakland History...
A building that was moved down from 'Old Town' in 1873.
This photo is from the Douglas County Museum archives:
Written on back of original:
"This was the James B. Smith Building.
It is thought that he moved it over from the 'old town' in 1873, when he purchased lots 1 and 2 in Block #14 from Alonzo F. Brown, the owner of the new townsite.
He paid Mr. Brown $550 for these two lots.
In the old town Mr. Smith was the proprietor of the largest store over there dealing in hardware and the like.
At his death, his administrator sold his building to Edward G. Young who was the highest bidder, paying a sum $2,735. for the property. Mr. Young who was in the store business in the old town and continued in the store business until he sold this part to Mr. E.L. Henninger.
Lets back up a bit.
In 1892 this building was moved back and a brick building was built. In 1899 a fire destroyed this old building along with all other wooden buildings on the north side of Locust St.
Mr. Young continued the banking business until his death in 1920.

This picture was taken in the 1870's; for in the 1880's, oil street lamps were on posts placed at the street corners." *

* I am not sure who wrote the aforementioned 'history' on the back of this photo, but we are grateful that they took the time to document this history.
My guess might be JV Chenoweth as he was a major historian for Oakalnd, Oregon history.

More Oakland pages to check out:
Visit Historic Oakland, OR
The Oakland Oregon Good News Gazette
Oakland Oregon Historic District
Oakland Oregon Museum
The 1905 Oakland Ice House
Visit Oakland @ www.oaklandor.com
History pages worth checking out:
Douglas County Historical Society Oregon
Oregon Historical Society
South Umpqua Historical Society

Have a historically wonderful day!
Conni Westford Riley

Hey Oakland Citizens & Lovers of Oakland everywhere!....Even if you live out of state now. We do NEED you to partner wit...
02/15/2026

Hey Oakland Citizens & Lovers of Oakland everywhere!....
Even if you live out of state now.
We do NEED you to partner with us in our efforts to bring Oakland alive again with projects focused on showcasing the unique history of our town.
We have SO much to be proud of in Oakland!
As one of the oldest towns in all of Oregon, we are celebrating our 175th Year of existence....
And we have MUCH to celebrate~
But we do need your help and your support in our efforts to bring some much needed vitality back to Oakland as we focus on projects that will promote and maintain the authentic history we have here....a history that we are proud of and fortunate to be the caretakers of.
You can pick up an OED Membership form at local businesses in town including:
Olde Town Antiques
Oakland Flour Mill Antiques & Gifts
Oakland Coffee Co
The 1905 Oakland Ice House
Triple Oak Wine Vault
The Oakland Post Office
TOGETHER we can bring history back to life here in Oakland.
Our OED meetings are on the 3rd Tuesday of each month @ 9:00 am at the Oakland Coffee Co/Triple Oak Wine Vault.
Everyone is welcome to come! All are welcome to join.
Perhaps you are interested in helping on one of our event planning committees, the Historic Downtown Beautification Committee (now forming)....whatever your talents are, we NEED you!
Feel free to call or text me anytime.
Check out our new OED website!
More info can also be found @
The Oakland Oregon Good News Gazette
Conni Westford Riley
2026 OED President
541-315-8073
[email protected]
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1AsQd8vWhY/

Hey Oakland Citizens & Lovers of Oakland everywhere!....
Even if you live out of state now.
We do NEED you to partner with us in our efforts to bring Oakland alive again with projects focused on showcasing the unique history of our town.
We have SO much to be proud of in Oakland!
As one of the oldest towns in all of Oregon, we are celebrating our 175th Year of existence....
And we have MUCH to celebrate~
But we do need your help and your support in our efforts to bring some much needed vitality back to Oakland as we focus on projects that will promote and maintain the authentic history we have here....a history that we are proud of and fortunate to be the caretakers of.
You can pick up an OED Membership form at local businesses in town including:
Olde Town Antiques
Oakland Flour Mill Antiques & Gifts
Oakland Coffee Co
The 1905 Oakland Ice House
Triple Oak Wine Vault
The Oakland Post Office

TOGETHER we can bring history back to life here in Oakland.
Our OED meetings are on the 3rd Tuesday of each month @ 9:00 am at the Oakland Coffee Co/Triple Oak Wine Vault.
Everyone is welcome to come! All are welcome to join.
Perhaps you are interested in helping on one of our event planning committees, the Historic Downtown Beautification Committee (now forming)....whatever your talents are, we NEED you!

Feel free to call or text me anytime.
Check out our new OED website!
More info can also be found @
The Oakland Oregon Good News Gazette

Conni Westford Riley
2026 OED President
541-315-8073
[email protected]

02/15/2026

Address

Oakland, OR
97462

Telephone

+15413156166

Website

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