travel – OREGON REAL ESTATE ROUND TABLE

Exploring “The Other Oregon”: A Forgotten Landscape Uncovered

When people think of Oregon, lush rainforests, dramatic coastlines, and Portland’s urban charm often come to mind. But Thomas R. Cox’s The Other Oregon: People, Environment, and History East of the Cascades invites us to look beyond the well-trodden western side of the state and discover the complex, often overlooked story of eastern Oregon.

In this sweeping regional history, Cox paints a vivid picture of the arid lands east of the Cascade Range—a region shaped as much by its isolation and rugged beauty as by its people’s efforts to thrive in it. From Native American stewardship to ranching, mining, and federal land policies, Cox unpacks how economic, environmental, and political forces have converged to define this “other” Oregon.

One of the book’s strengths is how it blends environmental history with social and political analysis. Cox doesn’t just catalog events; he explores how relationships between people and land evolved under pressure-from westward expansion to droughts, wars, and industrial shifts. His deep research and narrative style bring to life the settlers, indigenous communities, and conservationists who each played roles in shaping this landscape.

Reading The Other Oregon is a reminder that histories aren’t just made in cities or along coastlines. They unfold in high deserts, ranchlands, and river valleys too. Cox’s work is more than a regional history—it’s a call to recognize and respect the complexity of rural spaces and the often unheard voices of those who live there.

Whether you’re a student of history, an environmentalist, or just someone curious about the American West, this book will leave you with a deeper appreciation of eastern Oregon and a more nuanced understanding of the balance between people and place.

Get the Book here: https://amzn.to/3HnfMUb

Or visit our BookStore: https://vanportoregon.com/amazon-bookstore/

July 7, 2025

Unearthing Forgotten Stories: Exploring Ghost Towns of the Pacific Northwest

If you’ve ever wandered off a forest road and stumbled across a crumbling foundation or rusted-out mine shaft, you know the strange magic of ghost towns. These remnants of boom-and-bust settlements whisper forgotten stories from the Pacific Northwest’s wild past—and a new book is helping to bring those voices back.

In Ghost Towns of the Pacific Northwest: Your Guide to the Hidden History of Washington, Oregon, and British Columbia, author Philip Varney (with contributions from photographer John Drew) invites readers on a journey into the shadows of history. This is no dry historical record, it’s a vivid, photo-rich travel companion designed for curious adventurers, amateur historians, and weekend road-trippers alike.

More Than Just Empty Buildings

This book covers over 50 ghost towns and former mining hubs, each with its own backstory of ambition, collapse, and resilience. You’ll visit the skeletal remains of gold rush settlements in British Columbia, explore the weather-worn logging towns of the Olympic Peninsula, and learn about once-bustling Oregon communities now slowly being reclaimed by nature.

Each entry includes directions, historical background, and what remains on site-perfect for those who like to blend history with hiking. The book also includes stunning photographs that capture the eerie beauty of deserted streets, moss-covered ruins, and rusting machinery.

A Portal to the Past

What sets this guide apart is its thoughtful blend of storytelling and practical guidance. Varney doesn’t just catalog abandoned sites-he brings them to life. You’ll meet characters who once shaped these towns, discover how local industries rose and fell, and come away with a deeper understanding of the forces that carved the Pacific Northwest into what it is today.

Plan Your Own Ghost Town Road Trip

Whether you’re planning a summer road trip or just love regional history, Ghost Towns of the Pacific Northwest is a perfect addition to your bookshelf or glovebox. It encourages a slower kind of travel—one rooted in curiosity, reflection, and respect for what came before.

So pack a map, a camera, and maybe a flashlight-there’s more out there than you think. And thanks to this book, you won’t be traveling entirely alone.

Available at our bookstore: https://vanportoregon.com/amazon-bookstore/
Or you may get this book directly from Amazon: https://amzn.to/3FHu41d

June 25, 2025

Discover Jacksonville’s Story in Pictures: A Look at Images of America: Jacksonville by Margaret LaPlante

If you’ve ever wandered through the streets of Jacksonville, Oregon, and felt the echo of the past in its old wooden buildings or quiet, shaded roads, you’re not alone. In her captivating book Jacksonville (Images of America), author and historian Margaret LaPlante takes readers on a visual journey through one of Oregon’s most charming and historically rich towns.

Published as part of Arcadia Publishing’s well-loved Images of America series, this book is a nostalgic tribute to Jacksonville’s gold-rush roots, frontier resilience, and cultural evolution. Through over 200 vintage photographs, many of which come from private collections and local archives, LaPlante tells the story of a town that once bustled with miners, merchants, and pioneers.

What’s Inside?

The 1850s gold rush that put the town on the map
The rise and fall of the railroad that changed its fate
Personal stories from early residents
The preservation efforts that turned Jacksonville into a National Historic Landmark

The book is organized thematically and chronologically, covering key moments in Jacksonville’s history:

Every page pairs historical images with thoughtful captions that provide just enough context to bring the photos to life. You don’t have to be a historian to appreciate it—LaPlante writes with accessibility and heart.

Why It Matters

Jacksonville isn’t just a town-it’s a snapshot of the American West in transformation. While many former boomtowns faded into ghost towns, Jacksonville survived thanks to local efforts to preserve its character. This book captures that spirit and gives readers a rare chance to see how daily life looked more than a century ago.

Whether you’re a history buff, a Southern Oregon local, or simply someone who enjoys flipping through old photographs, Jacksonville (Images of America) is a gem. It’s also the perfect companion for a walking tour of the town, helping you see beyond the modern-day storefronts to the stories etched into every brick and beam.

Where to Get It:

Get it from our Boorkstore: https://vanportoregon.com/amazon-bookstore/
Or get it here: https://amzn.to/4kPOUdN

June 24, 2025

A Look at Lost Portland, Oregon

Portland is a city that wears its quirkiness with pride—but beneath the murals, microbreweries, and modern skyline lies a layered history that many never get to see. In Lost Portland, Oregon, author and historian Val C. Ballestrem takes readers on a fascinating tour through the city’s lost landmarks and fading architectural heritage.

Ballestrem, a respected local historian and education manager at the Architectural Heritage Center, masterfully combines historical storytelling with rare photographs and archival material to bring the city’s past to life. The book highlights more than just demolished buildings—it paints a picture of a Portland that once was, from long-forgotten theaters and hotels to neighborhoods forever changed by urban renewal, highway construction, and shifting social priorities.

Each chapter serves as a window into a different piece of Portland’s past. You’ll read about the grand Marquam Grand Opera House, the razed South Portland neighborhood, and other vanished spaces that were once cornerstones of the community. Ballestrem doesn’t just recount facts—he tells stories, making Lost Portland, Oregon a compelling read for anyone curious about how cities evolve, what gets preserved, and what slips away.

This book is ideal for history buffs, architecture lovers, and Portland residents who want to better understand the city’s ever-changing landscape. It’s also a call to think about preservation—not as nostalgia, but as a way to honor the character and complexity of a city’s identity.

Why Read Lost Portland, Oregon?

Discover hidden stories behind well-known neighborhoods

Learn about the city’s architectural history and changing skyline

Explore thought-provoking discussions on preservation and progress

Whether you’re a lifelong Portlander or a newcomer intrigued by the city’s roots, Lost Portland, Oregon is a beautifully curated journey into the heart of what once was—and a reminder of why remembering matters.

Available now: https://amzn.to/3FH8OIY

You may also visit our bookstore for more books: https://vanportoregon.com/amazon-bookstore/

June 9, 2025

Tag: travel

Exploring “The Other Oregon”: A Forgotten Landscape Uncovered

Share this:

Unearthing Forgotten Stories: Exploring Ghost Towns of the Pacific Northwest

More Than Just Empty Buildings

A Portal to the Past

Plan Your Own Ghost Town Road Trip

Share this:

Discover Jacksonville’s Story in Pictures: A Look at Images of America: Jacksonville by Margaret LaPlante

Why It Matters

Share this:

A Look at Lost Portland, Oregon

Share this: