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| Historic downtown Oakland, Oregon (Julianne G. Crane) |
For RVers who travel through southwest Oregon along I-5, consider taking a couple of hours to explore the small historic town of Oakland and appreciate the architecture of a hundred years ago.
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| Stearns Hardware 2nd & Locust (Julianne G. Crane) |
The town’s two-block business district consists of the original brick buildings built between 1852 and 1890. Stearns Hardware (pictured) has been in operation since 1887. Oakland was the first Oregon city to be placed on the state’s historic register, in May 1968.
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| Outside Tolly’s during Christmas Holidays (Julianne G. Crane) |
It is said that Oakland has one of the best preserved collections of
classic brick storefronts from the 19th Century. Many of the 80
properties are labeled with their vintage and former use. Today these building are transformed into antique stores, collectible shops, restaurants and taverns.
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| Inside Tolly’s Grill & Soda Fountain (Julianne G. Crane) |
One eatery, Tolly’s Grill & Soda Fountain, is housed in an 1872 building that originally served as the town’s Drug Store and Mercantile.
Opened daily, this cozy restaurant features old fashioned homemade sodas and milkshakes at its restored marble topped fountain.
My personal breakfast favorite is the Tolly’s Pocket Saver: 2 eggs any style with house breakfast potatoes, choice of toast and fresh coffee. All for $5 on Saturday or Sunday.
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| Oakland Museum (Julianne G. Crane) |
The Oakland Museum features community’s history from 1851 to the present. Artifacts, photographs and much more are on display.
The museum is open from 12:30 to 3:30 daily and closed holidays, with no admission for entry.
Directions:
Oakland is only a few minutes off I-5, Exit 138 or 140 (North / South) between Roseburg and Eugene. Only 2 miles south of Oakland is Sutherlin where there are three RV parks, read about them by clicking here.
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| Click on images to enlarge. (Julianne G. Crane) |
Upcoming events
– May 9, 2015 – 12th Annual Classic Car Show and Shine, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Registration of cars begins at 8 a.m., $10 per vehicle. To pre register click here.
Live entertainment by the Oregon Oldtime Fiddlers.
– May 16, 2015 – 23rd Annual City Wide Garage Sale, 9 a.m. until sold out or dusk. Call (541) 459-4531.
– June 19-21, 26-28, 2015: Melodrama ‘Rustlers of the Red Rock’ Fri.-Sat. 7 p.m.; Sun. 2 p.m.
To read more articles by Julianne G. Crane go to RVWheelLife.com
