100 years ago

Jan. 13, 1916 — The last issue of the Culver Tribune has the following: That there will be great activity in mining in this locality during the next year is definitely announced by those interested.

Mining men have been here at various times during the past month and now definite steps are being taken to build a large mill west of Culver during the early months of the year.

A thorough test has been made of the various methods of separation, and a method has been obtained which is entirely satisfactory.

At first, the men with money had to be shown, but they have been interested and the demonstration of values has been satisfactory.

These men say that the proposition will warrant the construction of several big mills in the vicinity of the claims held by them and their associates.

75 years ago

Jan. 2, 1941 — As many as 400, perhaps even 500 or 600, growers and others interested in potatoes are expected in Redmond on Monday morning, January 6, to take part in a “Potato Day,” being sponsored by the Oregon State Extension service, the Union Pacific, and the Redmond Chamber of Commerce.

The event, which is to open at 9 a.m. and close at 4 p.m., is to center around an array of exhibits being shipped by the Union Pacific under direction of the company’s agricultural department.

The railroad company’s exhibits, which demonstrate dramatically many phases of potato culture, were shown in a number of towns over the company’s system last year.

Redmond is to be one of the first of 45 towns on the U.P. lines between Oregon and Kansas at which the exhibits are to be shown this year.

50 years ago

Jan. 6, 1966 — Redmond Air Center, one of the most modern and complete aerial firefighting facilities of the U.S. Forest Service, continues to grow and contribute to the economy of Redmond.

Construction of a new 25-man barracks and 100-man training room is in progress and scheduled for completion in time to house additional smoke-jumpers for the 1966 forest fire season. The contract cost will amount to approximately $96,000.

Added to the present investment of the $580,000 for facilities completed in 1964, the center will represent a real property investment of approximately $676,000.

A substantial portion of this amount will have gone to Redmond firms furnishing materials, supplies, and services during the construction. More significant, however, in terms of economical advantages, is the continuing operation of the air center.

Management personnel has disclosed that in the current government fiscal year approximately $40,000 will have been paid in salary to permanent employees residing in Redmond.

25 years ago

Jan. 9, 1991 — The preliminary projected cost of upgrading the city’s wastewater and disposal facilities — in light of new state requirements pertaining to ground water quality and “re-use” of effluent — brought a collective gasp from the Redmond City Council on Tuesday.

Al Shewey, project manager for the firm the city retained a year ago to develop an advanced wastewater facility plan, shocked the council with its preliminary cost estimates ranging from $13.1 million to $23.4 million.

The upgrade of the system is needed to bring the city into compliance with existing requirements to meet the city’s needs for the next 20 years. The major issue, and the one that makes the cost estimates so high, Shewey told the council, is meeting new state regulations.

“Redmond will be the guinea pig” for the state in applying the new groundwater and re-use regulations, Shewey said. He represents the firm Kramer, Chin & Mayo Inc., Portland, the firm the city chose to conduct the study.