Skip to main content.

<

<

KSYS Ch 8 Medford KFTS Ch 22 Klamath Falls
Cable Ch 21 Jackson County
KSYS-DT | KFTS-DT Ch 8.1=HDTV, Ch 8.2=Simulcast
Oregon Channel Ch 8.3

<

Local Productions of SOPTV

>> Home >> SOPTV Productions >> Southern Oregon History

Southern Oregon History

Southern Oregon History

A celebration of Oregon's rich history including a number of "Southern Oregon History Minutes" and award-winning historical programs.

SOUTHERN OREGON HISTORY MINUTES

For a brief glimpse of Oregon History extracted from our award winning programs, click on any of our several "History Minute" short subjects below:

HISTORICAL PROGRAMS

CRATER LAKE: The Mirror of Heaven
Play related History Minute.

CRATER LAKE CRATER LAKE
The Mirror of Heaven

The fascinating story of Crater Lake weaves together the chronicles of Native Americans and European settlers with a truly gripping race through the politics of conservation at the turn of the century. Here, the story of Crater Lake is told in crystal-clear, high-definition cinematography moving from local myths to scientific, 3-D animations showing the formation of the lake in all its volcanic glory.

AVAILABLE FOR ONLINE VIEWING.

A SOUTH ROAD TO OREGON: A History of the Applegate Trail
Play related History Minute.

ROSEBURG BLAST A SOUTH ROAD TO OREGON
A History of the Applegate Trail

Early settlers coming to Oregon crossed vast plains, foreboding mountains, and hot deserts only to find their biggest challenge -- navigating the dangerous Columbia River. Inspired to find an alternative route, immigrants founded the Applegate Trail in 1846. A SOUTH ROAD TO OREGON: The History of the Applegate Trail traces the construction and controversy surrounding this long, treacherous southern branch of the Oregon Trail from Fort Hall, Idaho through parts of Nevada, California, and southern Oregon into the settlements of the lush Willamette Valley.

AVAILABLE FOR ONLINE VIEWING.

OREGON FINDS: Logging's Living Past
Play related History Minute.

Three lumerjacks holding axes. OREGON FINDS
Logging's Living Past

A field guide for people who want to discover Oregon's glory days of logging with visits to four remarkable museums and exhibits around the state of Oregon: The Collier Logging Museum, in Klamath Falls; The Southern Oregon Historical Society museum in Jacksonville; The Coos County Logging Museum and The Lazinka Sawmill at the High Desert Museum in Bend.
Play clip for broadband connection.
Play clip for dial-up connection.

CAMP WHITE STORY: Southern Oregon Goes To War
Play related History Minute.

Camp White CAMP WHITE STORY
Southern Oregon Goes To War

This documentary chronicles the transformation of rural southern Oregon during WWII. At the onset of war in Europe, the need for training facilities was growing rapidly. One of the sites chosen was an area just outside of Medford, Oregon. Combined with a work force and abundant building material the Army Corp of engineers and local contractors transformed the property into a city of 35,000. The economy boomed and Southern Oregon was changed over night. This program was produced in cooperation with The Camp White Museum.

AVAILABLE FOR ONLINE VIEWING.

HOMETOWN HEROES: Johnny Hampshire
Play related History Minute.

The Flying Tigers HOMETOWN HEROES
Johnny Hampshire

Captain John F. Hampshire joined the Flying Tigers as a member of the Untied States Army Air Corps in the fall 1942. He was shot down and killed in China at the age of twenty-four after destroying a record number of enemy aircraft within a few short months. He has been listed as the number two ace in that field. This documentary features Johnny's life from his boyhood in Grants Pass to his dramatic last air battle. Through his life we are able to see a time in American history as it relates to one brave young man and the community he grew up in.

AVAILABLE FOR ONLINE VIEWING.

THE ROSEBURG BLAST: A Catastrophe and Its Heroes
Play related History Minute.

ROSEBURG BLAST THE ROSEBURG BLAST
A Catastrophe and Its Heroes

August 7, 1959: A sleepy town in Oregon is awakened by fire. Spectators are drawn to the center of town not knowing the worst is yet to come. Rescue workers rush to the scene only to be among the first victims of a series of terrible explosions. Before the night is over everything within a 50-block radius of a single explosive-packed truck is in ruins. When the firestorm finally dies down, Roseburg and its citizens are changed forever. An award-winning new film from SOPTV.

AVAILABLE FOR ONLINE VIEWING.

OREGON LEGENDS: The John Dellenback Story
Play related History Minute.

John Dellenback: A Life of Service OREGON LEGENDS
The John Dellenback Story

Oregon legislator, John Dellenback, made such a powerful impression on other U.S. representatives during his tenure in Washington in the 1960s and '70s that he came away with the nickname "St. John." Find out what motivated and formed this man of faith and conscience. A complex and inspiring portrait of a legendary man and also of a commitment to living life in service to one's community.

AVAILABLE FOR ONLINE VIEWING.

Partners

  • Duoglas County Museum Natural and Cultural HistoryDouglas County Museum
    The purpose of The Douglas County Museum is to "collect, preserve, interpret, and exhibit materials related to the history and natural history of Douglas County." The museum facility contains thousands of square feet of exhibit galleries, storage areas, library, photo laboratory, auditorium, gift shop, and research facilities.
  • Southern Oregon Historical SocietyThe Southern Oregon Historical Society (SOHS)
    The Southern Oregon Historical Society and The Jacksonville Museum are headquartered in Jacksonville, Oregon in the former Jackson County Courthouse. In addition to state-of-the-art museum exhibits and educational outreach, SOHS publishes an acclaimed quarterly magazine, Southern Oregon Heritage Today, with in-depth articles focusing on Southern Oregon's remarkable history. The Southern Oregon Historical Society has partnered with SOPTV over the past decade, specifically in the production of several historical documentaries.
  • Klamath County MuseumsThe Klamath Museum
    Housed in a former National Guard armory built in 1935, the Klamath County Museum features exhibits on natural history and human history. The museum also houses a large collection of historic photos and public records.
  • Oregon 150Oregon 150
    Southern Oregon History Week is endorsed by Oregon 150 who asks you to appreciate the past, celebrate the present, and imagine the future as we approach Oregon's 150th birthday in 2009. OREGON 150 is a non-profit organization led by motivated citizen volunteers from across the state to inspire people to remember, experience, and celebrate Oregon and, together, create a robust and sustainable future.

Oregon State ParksFunding provided in part by the Oregon Heritage Commission (Kyle Jansson, Coordinator).

Credits

  • Director of Content: Brad Fay
  • Producer/Director/Editor: Jessey Riley
  • Web Development: Timothy Dungan (aka ptvGuy)
  • Graphic Designer: Vickie Killion
  • Director of Development: Helena Darling
  • Gardner Chappel -- Director, Douglas County Museum (Natural & Cultural History)
  • Todd Kepple -- Manager, Klamath County Museums
  • Suzanne M.M. Warner -- Curator, Southern Oregon Historical Society
  • Aili Schreiner -- Project Manager ,Oregon 150
  • Pennie Trumbull -- Managing & Marketing Director, Oregon 150
Points of view are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent those of SOPTV, its partners, or the State of Oregon.