This Week In Rogue River History
JUNE 24, 1981
A Giant from the Forest
A massive Douglas fir harvested near the Umpqua Divide drew attention throughout Southern Oregon after its extraordinary size required special handling for transport. Measuring more than six feet in diameter, the tree was so large that one section had to be notched to fit onto a logging truck.
Four trucks were needed to haul the giant log to a mill while photographers and videographers documented the journey. Boise Cascade log scaler Roy Deutschman said he had not seen a tree that large in approximately six years. The bottom log measured 71 inches in diameter at its narrow end, and each of the lower sections contained enough lumber and plywood to build an average-sized home. Despite its impressive size, internal rot reduced the tree’s overall value.
JUNE 26, 1986
Fishing Wisdom from Local Anglers
Readers were asked to share their favorite fishing techniques.
Rory Buettell credited bouncing salmon eggs along the river bottom for helping him land a 31-inch salmon and several jack salmon. Leah Bryant preferred a simpler approach, casting her line and reeling slowly until a fish struck.
Harold Pogue recommended drifting fresh roe, noting that the method helped him catch a 20-pound salmon. Paul Campbell admitted he wasn’t sure of the best technique, joking that he usually watched his friends catch all the fish. Summer Buettell found success using cheese as bait, catching eight fish in just an hour and a half, though she confessed she enjoyed fishing more than eating her catch.
JUNE 26, 1991
A Dream Week at Camp
Ten-year-old Jennifer Gurzi of Wimer saw a dream become reality after entering a contest she discovered in Family Fare magazine.
Jennifer won an all-expenses-paid week at Big Lake Youth Camp near Sisters. The daughter of Steve and Debbie Gurzi, she had never before spent a week away from home on her own. The opportunity to swim, hike, canoe and ride horses convinced her to take the adventure. While Jennifer headed off to camp, her Appaloosa horse, Dusty, stayed behind.
JUNE 25, 1996
Eagle Scout Rescues Driver from Rogue River
A dramatic rescue unfolded near Savage Rapids Dam when a truck driven by Stanley Kenneth Paris, 42, plunged into the Rogue River after a high-speed crash.
Witnesses reported Paris lost control of his vehicle, crossed traffic lanes, rolled over and traveled more than 100 feet before landing upside down in the river. Sixteen-year-old Eagle Scout Benjamin Tate Paulsen of Lafayette, California, witnessed the crash while visiting family in the area.
Without hesitation, Paulsen dove repeatedly into the river, loosened the driver’s restraints and pulled him safely to shore, earning praise for his quick actions and bravery.
JUNE 27, 2001
New Life for an Old Landmark
The former City Market building on Main Street received a new lease on life thanks to entrepreneur Lauren Wells.
Transforming the aging structure into an antique store required extensive renovations, but Wells embraced the challenge. She said skepticism from others only strengthened her determination to complete the project.
While rumors circulated about the cost of the renovation, Wells laughed off claims that she had spent half a million dollars restoring the historic building.
JUNE 28, 2006
Elvis Arrives at Rooster Crow
The King of Rock and Roll finally made an appearance at Rogue River’s National Rooster Crow competition—sort of.
An Elvis Presley impersonator joined contestants in the Human Crow Contest during the annual festival. While the performance generated laughs from the crowd, it failed to impress event emcee and Rogue River Press publisher Dave Ehrhardt.
“Elvis was the worst crower I’ve ever heard,” Ehrhardt joked.
JUNE 29, 2011
Folklorico Dancers Bring Color to Rooster Crow
Members of the Ballet Folklorico Ritmo Alegre troupe added vibrant color and culture to the National Rooster Crow celebration.
The dance group, part of the Multicultural Association of Southern Oregon, performed traditional Mexican dances during the festival. Sponsored by Tarasco’s Mexican Restaurant, the dancers entertained visitors gathered near Umpqua Bank and showcased the rich cultural diversity of the Rogue Valley.
JUNE 29, 2016
Buttercup Claims National Title
A young rooster named Buttercup captured the National Rooster Crow Championship just one year after hatching.
Owned by Scott McFarland, the Americana rooster crowed 31 times during the competition to earn the $150 grand prize. Although the total was enough for victory, it marked one of the lowest winning counts in contest history. Contest organizers shortened the event to 25 minutes instead of the traditional 30-minute format.
JUNE 30, 2021
History Made at Grants Pass Downs
A new chapter in Oregon horse racing history was written when Cm Boom Shakalaka won the first race ever run over the newly added 440-yard course at Grants Pass Downs.
Ridden by Luis Gonzalez, the Oregon-bred gelding covered the distance in 21.239 seconds to win the Bank of America Grants Pass Championship Challenge. The victory came by one-and-one-quarter lengths over runner-up Mighty Tony T.
JUNE 25, 2025
A Market Finds Its Niche
The Rogue River Growers Market celebrated another successful season by embracing a unique approach.
Rather than competing directly with the larger Grants Pass Growers Market, owner Niki Murphy chose to operate exclusively on Sundays. The decision allowed vendors to participate in both markets and helped establish Sunday as Rogue River’s dedicated market day. “We don’t want vendors to have to choose,” Murphy explained. “We wanted to create a day that belonged to Rogue River.”