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CONTACT:
Gerald
Hopkins, Superintendent
Huntington School District
541-869-2204
It's a Mystery...
OSBA salutes the Huntington School District for "Mystery of the Oregon Trail" in Baker County – a project that involved students and staff with the community, its senior citizens, organizations, and history buffs.
The idea began give years ago when Supt. Gerald Hopkins asked, "What can we do to promote history for our kids and bring people into the community?" To begin, he asked the Oregon Dept. Of Transportation about placing a historical marker at the site.
With the help of history teacher Lance Dixon, students explored information about the Oregon Trail, Native American history and culture, and the Van Ornum family massacre site three miles south of Huntington and created information for a historical marker. They worked with the Oregon/California Trail Association to create a brochure about the site's history. Dixon is also being nominated by the Trail's Association for Outstanding Teacher as a part of this project.
They also invited author Donald Shannon, who wrote Utter Disaster on the Oregon Trail, to teach students about the relationships among Native Americans and the settlers moving along the Oregon Trail. He described what life was like when only Native Americans lived in the area, where they hunted and fished for salmon.
Students also interviewed seniors for local information, and the technology class interviewed local seniors and are creating a video of local history to donate to the museum.
"The Oregon Dept. of Transportation will put up a battle loop sign off the freeway, and consideration will be given to placing the site on the Oregon map--nice touch for the work the students did on the project," Hopkins said.. Students have been learning the history of the native Americans as a part of the program, and have had guest speakers address the history of the local Indian population. We have also developed a partnership with the Oregon, Idaho Trail Association to mark the historical events from Boise through Pendleton.
"This has created a new interest in local history and pride in the community," said Huntington Superintendent Gerald Hopkins. "It might encourage visitors to make the historical loop through Huntington and enjoy our hospitality.".
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