Pritam Rohila Travels: SILVERTON, OREGON

On the way back from Oregon Garden, on August 12, 2017, we stopped at a café for some refreshments in Downtown, Silverton, Oregon.

Cafe, Silverton, OR

Nearby, on a wall, there was a large mural depicting the history of Silverton, Oregon.

Silverton history mural

Situated along the 45^th parallel, Silverton is a city of about 9,000, about 12 miles northeast of Salem, OR. It is named after Silver Creek, which flows through the town from better known and more popular Silver Falls. Farming is Silverton’s major industry.

One of several Silver Creek falls

Astronaut Donald Pettit was raised in Silverton. Born on April 20, 1955, and a chemical engineer by profession, he is a veteran of three space flights. He was aboard the International Space Station for a total of more than 369 days. Also he was involved in a six-week expedition to find meteorites in Antarctica.

Astronaut Donald Pettit

Astronaut Pettit demonstrates microgravity

And every year, in August, Silverton celebrate its most famous citizen, Homer Davenport with a parade and many other community activities. Born in Silverton on March 8, 1867, he became one of the highest paid political cartoonist in the world, even though he had no formal art training.

Cartoonist Homer Davenport

Davenport's cartton about President Roosevelt

One of Homer Davenport Days races in Silverton, OR

Silverton was also made famous by Bobbie the Wonder Dog, lost by a Silverton family during their road trip to Indiana in 1923.. After an extensive search, they could not find Bobbie. Broken- hearted they returned home without their beloved dog.

Bobbie, the Wonder Dog

To the family’s pleasant surprise, six months later, Bobbie returned home after walking 2,500 miles. He became an instant celebrity, and subject of many newspaper articles, including Ripley’s Believe It or Not! In 1924 Bobbie played himself in a silent film, “The Call of the West.” He received hundreds of letters, and many ribbons and keys to cities. Also he was honored with a jewel-studded harness and collar.