When Gophers Flew: Tales & Memories of Gopher Valley, Oregon

When Gophers Flew: Tales & Memories of Gopher Valley, Oregon

When Gophers Flew is about a feisty community in a 10-mile-long valley where the eastern foothills of the Oregon Coast Range meet the western edge of Willamette Valley. Its names “Gopher Hole” and “Gopher” were eventually upgraded to “Gopher Valley.” With its dark forests possibly haunted by an evil spirit and quirky monikers suggesting pesky rodents, neither Native Americans nor the earliest Oregon Trail pioneers—wanted to live there. Settlers only moved in reluctantly after they ran out of “better choices.” They were surprised at how well everything grew, including seemingly endless stands of Douglas Fir. The author uses gentle humor to describe characters including his ancestors, resourceful widowed mother, and neighbors ranging from mountain-man “Red” Snyder to those who were well-educated yet humble. All but one were dedicated to helping their neighbors. A brief look farther back in time explains how parts of the northwestern Oregon landscape were brutally reshaped. Carefully researched profiles, guest articles, maps, illustrations and many photos enrich the story. The book will answer many questions, like: “Was Gopher Valley real?” and “Why did people live there?”