Archives West Finding Aid

In the mid-1920s, the history classes of Whitehall High School interviewed pioneers of the area for a book History of Jefferson Valley, published in 1928 by the local newspaper, the Jefferson Valley News. The book indicates that Ruth Jendresen interviewed Sherman in 1925 and Marie Datres interviewed Miles (date unknown). The entire interview with Sherman was published in the Jefferson Valley News in March 1928. Typed copies of two reminiscences: "Jefferson Valley Sixty Years Ago" (author unknown) and an untitled piece by Miles L. Tuttle are in this collection. Information in the interviews includes: crossing the Jefferson River on a ferry boat; the first schools and teachers; first religious services, churches and preachers; first Cemetery near Fish Creek and the stories of two deaths; the first store at Parsons Bridge and other businesses; the first Post Office; the first railroad and the primary occupations of the settlers. Both manuscripts have been placed in one file folder.