"Tigard Historical Quarterly" Newsletter

THA publishes the "Tigard Historical Quarterly" newsletter that provides information describing Tigard's history and the people who have played a role in developing the city.   Please click on the links below view current and previous issues.  

Do you have a lead on a story about Tigard's history or something you think we need to cover?  Just send a note to newsletter@tigardhistorical.org  We'll get back to you as soon as we can.

2024

Spring - Tigard Founder's Day is Saturday, April 13th from 1-4 pm at the John Tigard House!  Stop by, tour the house to learn more about your town!  Valri Darling write about how Wilson Tigard moved his family from Fayetteville, Arkansas to the Oregon Territory starting the spring of 1852.  Fence painting will begin again when the weather warms.  Phil Pasteris describes what needs to be done and how you can help!

Winter - The Victorian Christmas returned!  The pandemic has lessened and provided an opportunity for THA to decorate and open the John Tigard house to visitors of all ages.  Margaret Doherty writes about the event where THA photographers took pictures of families with Santa using their cell phones.  Mary Feller writes about her time as the THA president and the work done to settle the John Tigard House in its current location and fill the house with treasures any Tigard citizen can view during open an open house.  Phil Pasteris details the steps needed to replace the gutters and parts of the roof on the John Tigard House along with the costs.  THA welcomes contributions to finish this important project.

2023

Winter - Valri Darling writes about how the John Tigard House was saved by Laverne Sharp and other Tigard citizens and moved to the current location on August 23, 1978.  Martha Worley leads the Tigard Chamber of Commerce in a tour of the John Tigard House to learn about its history and contents.  See an aerial photo taken on June 10, 1961 of Pacific Highway where the current Fred Myer parking lot.

Summer - Phillip Pasteris writes about repainting the picket fence that surrounds the John Tigard House.  We had help from THA members and volunteers from the community.  Thank you all who helped!  Valri Darling writes about newspaper article found in the boxes of materials found in the attic at the John Tigard House.  The article appeared in "The Journal" on May 9, 1922. “Observations and Impressions of the Journal Man”, written by Fred Lockley, it says, “To Tigard and Hubbard, Mr. Lockey resorts for the materials for the present sketch.”  Plenty of information that reaches back to Ulysses S. Grant and Mary Ann Yoes Tigard.  

Spring - We need your help!  Just like Mark Twain's Tom Sawyer, THA needs the fence around the John Tigard House repainted.  This will be a multi-step process that will start in June.  Please email info@tighardhistorical.org if you are interested!  The JTH was moved the last issue of the Quarterly, this issue provides how it was restored.  A group effort indeed!  Now that your taxes have been paid, please read about how a required minimum distribution made to a qualified charity like THA from your traditional IRA can save you more than a simple donation.  Contact info@tigardhistorical.org for more information.

Winter - Did you know that the John Tigard House was moved from Pacific Highway to its present location?  This issue covers the interesting story behind the move.  The Tigard Chamber of Commerce toured the John Tigard House recently.  See the tour pictures.  See the Fred Meyer Parking lot from the air in 1961.  You won't recognize it!  Finally, you can reduce your taxes by taking an IRA Required Minimum Distribution and designating the Tigard Historical Association as the charity.  Details are in the Quarterly. 

2022

Summer - Sandra O'Neill writes about how her mother LaVerne Sharp saved the 1880s John Tigard House from demolition in 1978.  An amazing story about a woman on a mission to save history!  Anne Wallace from Rise Church writes about the Rise Church collaborating with THA to raise potatoes for the Tigard Food Bank and the Rise Church Crop Table.  Valri Darling recognizes Martha Worley's multi-decade service to THA as a board member, president, vice president as she retires from officer duties.  We welcome Margaret Doherty as the elected THA vice president.

Spring - The Meyer Family is featured in an article by Valri Darling.  The Meyer family's great, great grandfather Otto Meyer purchased land in Tigard 140 years ago and the family still resides on that land.  Tigard "Then and Now" revisits the great Tualatin River Flood of February 1996 when snowmelt and heavy rain combined to flood Cook Park.  Photos taken by Don Tominac and Dennis Shen show the extent of the flooding.

Winter - Valri Darling writes about "School Days in Old Tigardville."  The story starts in the fall of 1852 when Wilson Tigard and his young family settled in the Tigard area.   The first school, a log cabin, was build in about 1853 at the present day intersection of Main Street and Scoffins.  Plenty of fun history and photos describing the schools and the students who became part of Tigard's history.

2021

Fall - Read about the work done by an LDS Youth Group to prepare the wood ramp for painting, weed the flower beds and spread back chips under the fence.  Marilyn Sturm writes about her long family history in Tigard.  

Summer- Martha Worley talks about how the pandemic has limited THA links to the community, but gardens seem to have connected us all.  Marilyn Cook describes memories of her grandparent's home on Pacific Highway as "The Best Times of My Life." 

Spring - Casey Bowman writes a detailed article about the Shavers, Tigard Pioneers. Valri Darling writes about a mannequin donated by Nora Pirrie to the Tigard House.  Banning’s Restaurant, a Tigard Landmark since 1979 is also featured.

Winter - Memories of Ruth Croft who passed away in October 2020.  Ruth was one of the THA Founding Members.  Thank you Ruth for all your contributions. Learn more about Grace Tigard Houghton (1901-1998) was the daughter of Charles and Rosa Tigard and the granddaughter of Wilson and Mary Ann Tigard. Please continue to be safe and we hope to see you later this year or in 2022!

2020

Fall - The Tigard Chamber of Commerce awarded Martha Worley the “From the Heart” Volunteer of the Year!  Read how she earned this award.  Valri Darling writes about the long history of the Crescent Grove Cemetery.  Did you know is is located adjacent to Washington Square?  Finally Phil Pasteris was honored by the Tigard Chamber of Commerce as the Tigard First Citizen.

Summer - Learn how the COVID-19 has affected THA activities this summer and into the fall in an article by Karen Sadler-Fredd.  Amy Krebs describes how COVID-19 is affecting Tigard education this fall.  Finally, Martha Worley tells a mole story involving Curtis Tigard.

Spring - Learn about Tigard gardeners - the Schubring family, Moore family, and the Gaarde family.  Another story features the Cope family and the Signscope Signs business they established in 1989.  Duane provided free over-sized posters that hung on the fence of the John Tigard House that that advertised upcoming THA events.

Winter - Learn about the "Hicklin Family in Oregon" guest authored by Nancy Jean Chapman.  The article covers the family migration to Oregon and the role of abolitionist politics in 1850s Oregon.

2019

Fall - Learn about 1) The Riverman Family Legacy, 2) Apple Harvest Festival held at the John Tigard House, and 3) This Old House, the repair of the John Tigard House front porch by Handyman Matters.  The porch looks like new/old!

Summer- Learn about 1) the 1918 Panck's chicken hatchery adjacent to the Joy Theater, 2) the Tigard family descendant reunion, and 3) see photos from the Ice Cream Social.

Spring - Learn how 1) the Oregon State Legislature created April 13, 2019 Curtis Tigard Day, 2) How the the Tigard Public Library has expanded hours and services for their Local History Room, 3) Dates for Tours of Tigard's Historic Main Street June 30th and August 25, and 4) Memories of Spring in Tigard by Jane Heintz-Svela.

Winter - Learn more about how to volunteer at THA.  Valri Darling writes about moving the John Tigard House to its current location with the help of volunteers!  Ruth Croft is featured as one of the original THA members from back in 1978 and played a key role in rescuing JTH!.  Jan Heintz-Svela writes about "Growing up in Tigard - Winter Fun."

2018

Fall - This issue focuses on the loss of THA's oldest friend - Curtis Tigard.  Curtis passed away on July 25, 2018 after a short illness at an age of 109.  We will miss you Curtis.  This issue also contains an article about St. Anthony's Catholic Church by Jane Heintz-Svela.  See you at the Victorian Christmas on December 1, 2018 at the John Tigard House from 1 to 4 pm.

Spring - Read about Wilson and Polly Tigard's trip from Ft. Smith, Arkansas, Curtis Tigard's upcoming 109th birthday party at the John Tigard House on April 14, Banning's Restaurant and Pie House and Betty Schubring Moore's memories of Old Tigard.

Winter - Read and see photos from the Victorian Christmas, a guest article by Jane Heintz-Svela reminiscing about downtown Tigard, Hop Growing in the Tigard Area, by Valri Darling, Then and Now about the building that is now the Max Brew Pub by Mike McInnis.

2017

Fall - Read about the Ice Cream Festival, Apple Harvest Festival, Tigard family relatives visiting from Missouri and Utah, the Emanuel German Evangelical Church, and the Sunset Pioneer Cemetery right off of Highway 99.

Summer - Read about Mary Woodard students visiting the John Tigard House, early Tigard businesses and what THA accomplished this past year!

Spring - Curtis Tigard turns 108!  Learn about a Tigard 1948 baseball team and early Tigard Businesses.

Winter

2016

Fall

Summer

Spring

Winter

2015

Fall

Summer

Special Article - "A History of Ballooning and the Tigard Balloon Festival" - Barbara Peterson and Sean Garvey

Spring

Winter

2014

Fall

Summer

Spring

Winter

2013

Fall

Summer

Spring

Winter

 2012

Fall

Summer

Spring

October, November, December

2011

July, August, September

April, May, June

2011 - January, February, March

2010 

October, November, December

July, August, September

April, May, June

January, Februrary, March

2009 

July, August, September