Video Interviews From Bridlemile School Interviews
During the 2005 - 2006 school year, the Fourth and Fifth Grade students at Bridlemile Elementary School(BES) investigated the history of Bridlemile and surrounding neighborhoods. The students interviewed longtime Bridlemile residents about the history of the neighborhood and what it was like to live and grow up here back then.
According to the March 23, 2006 Oregonian, “The students’ historical research was led by Virginian Danzer of the Bridlemile Neighborhood Association and Bridlemile librarian Melinda McCrossen. … ‘My focus as librarian is for them (the students) to learn how to do research,’ McCrossen says. ‘We talk about when to use encyclopedias, almanacs and atlases. But talking to primary sources also is a part of research.’ …
From the elders, the students learned about life they didn’t know existed. No television. No Internet. One pair of shoes a year. … They also learned that their neighborhood was farms and orchards in the early days. …Almost all the elders talked about the pheasants and quail they had seen around Bridlemile in their youth."
Below are links to and thumbnail descriptions of the Bridlemile Elementary School Oral History Project video clip selections shown at the April 12th, 2006 presentation:
Jim Driscoll relays stories about Bridlemile’s first white settler, Albert Kelly, such as told to him from his grandmother, who in turn heard them from Mr. Kelly’s grandchildren. He talks about Albert Kelly, first orchards, The 1859 Prarie Traveler Guide Book (shown with Jim in photo), and what was grown on the Albert Kelly farm. December 15, 2005.
Annette (Stone) Long talks about living on a Bridlemile chicken ranch, chores, local store, and the Great Depression. December 13, 2005.
John Chesnutt talks about moving here in 1966, sledding down Council Crest and Dosch Road, the two-lane Beaverton-Hillsdale Highway, and local wildlife. He wishes Bridlemile had more sidewalks. December 16, 2005.
Bill Schumacher talks about the Hillsdale Piggly Wiggly Market, Glen Cullen railroad, Heritage Trees, water well, local taxidermists, quail and wood duck, local fauna and Doschdale. January 2006.
Owen Cramer talks about living on upper Dosch Road from 1920's, schools he attended, family farm where school is today, proposed tunnel from Portland, local saw mill during WWII, winter sledding from Dosch Road to Hamilton Street, after school sports, and the Columbus Day Storm. December 14, 2005.
Ken Leatherman talks about living in Bridlemile’s lower Brookford area during the 1950’s, including water and sewer, building the school, bow and arrow business, ring neck pheasants, notable residents, longtime Brookford residents, snakes, fish in Fanno Creek, and building homes in the 1940's. December 12, 2005.
Bev Shaw talks about the Bridlemile of 1965, including the location of Bridlemile School, pheasants, school plaque, Fiona fountain, and a car accident. December 15, 2005.
