Then and Now on Highway 99-West

Sherwood historian Clyde's dad (2nd from left) and uncles during a rare day of rest. Photo taken around 1950, looking South. Highway 99 West was a two-lane road then all the way to California. 99 was the most important North-South corridor in Oregon. (Actually there were two highways-- 99 West and 99 East. They split in twain in North Portland and came back together again at Junction City, Oregon. 99 East covers the East side of the Willamette River.) Clyde discusses the spiritual significance of Highway 99 on his website. The photo below shows the same spot today.

What puzzles the historian most is why 99W doesn't plow straight through Old Sherwood Town. It would have been the shortest, least costly way to go. Probably, the credit goes to Mayor Morback and a mistaken belief that the economic significance of the railroad would always be greater than the highway's. It was a mistake, but only for the business community. We kind of like the way things turned out!

What a GreatTime to be Poor!

The Sherwood Oregon Robin Hood Festival, Oregon's longest running small-town festival, is happening again this year. The free-to-the-public event is held every third weekend in July. Friar Tuck represented the Sherwood Historical Society before the Court of Maid Marian Wednesday evening. "The important thing is to listen for the music Robin Hood plays on his bugle horn." Tuck explained, "Robin Hood was a not-so-great swordsman. It's his musical talent that saves him."

-Tuck's History of the Event.
-Get Involved! Contact the Sherwood Robin Hood Festival Now!