Columbia County Historical Society and Museum Association

03/11/2026

Thirty-five years ago today, on Monday, March 11, 1991, a 3-alarm fire at the McBride Elementary School in St. Helens caused an estimated 1 million dollars in damage and the loss of six classrooms and two restrooms.

A parent driving by the school noticed smoke coming from the roof vents and notified the school principal just before noon. Upon closer inspection, the fire alarm was pulled, and 911 was called. Most of the students in that wing of the building were at lunch or on the playground. Within 90 seconds, nearly all of the appx. 420 students had been evacuated to the south side of the building along McBride Street, and in less than five minutes, the building was empty. They waited in the rain, many thinking it was just a drill, until they heard sirens and saw thick black smoke billowing into the air. Within 20 minutes, the students had been bused to Condon Elementary to await pickup. Community members dropped off blankets, and Thriftway donated snacks of crackers, cheese, and apples.

Sixty firefighters from St. Helens, Scappoose, and Rainier battled the blaze as it quickly spread through the attic on the north side of the building. The fire was under control in about two hours, but not before four classrooms along S. Vernonia Road were completely destroyed, along with two additional classrooms at the back of the building and a set of restrooms. Four additional classrooms were damaged but could be salvaged.

Due to the quick thinking and action of staff members and first responders, no one was injured in the fire. The School Board cancelled school for the rest of the week, which was followed by another week due to Spring Break. The next two weeks were spent boarding up the burned portions of the school and painting and repairing the classrooms that were still usable. Teachers scoured their rooms for anything salvageable. Students returned to school two weeks to the day after the fire, with the smell of smoke still lingering in the air. Portables were brought in to make up for the classrooms that were lost. The building continued to be utilized until the new McBride Elementary School opened in 1995.

These photos and news clippings were preserved in a scrapbook donated by 5th-grade teacher, Jennine Lindberg. The American flag was salvaged from her classroom.

02/27/2026

100 years ago today, the citizens of St. Helens were invited to tour the new home of the First National Bank. Described in the news as a "Magnificent Financial Temple," the "architecturally magnificent and modernly equipped building" was dedicated on Saturday evening, February 27, 1926.

The doors opened at 7:00 PM, and hundreds gathered in the spacious lobby to catch a glimpse of the handsome new building and modern equipment. The reception was hosted by the bank officers and directors, including President Charles Graham, Vice President J.W. Hunt, cashier J. G Thompson, assistant cashier Clifford C. Gobba, and Directors Dr. Edwin Ross and John L. Foote.

A carnation was presented to each guest by Misses Nova Felton and Ruth Miller. Elizabeth Perry presided at the punch bowl, and wafers were also on hand. The sound of orchestra music emanated from the back of the building. The group consisted of Bessie Gobba on the piano, Walter Freeman on violin, and Charles Ross on saxophone.

The St. Helens Sentinel newspaper of March 4, 1926, described the scene: "with huge bouquets of cut flowers sending out their sweet fragrances from various points of vantage; with throngs of well-dressed men and women surging through its portals in quest of first-hand information; with gayly bedecked maidens presiding over glistening bowls of kickless punch, the handsome new First National bank building presented a scene that will long remain in the memory of those who viewed the picture."

The 30x70 ft. building, made with reinforced concrete and terracotta, was constructed by the A.C. Galbraith House Building Company of Portland. The construction cost came to $19,000. The interior walls and 19 ft. ceiling, finished in plaster of paris, were completed by P.J. Aigne & Co. of Portland. The ceilings were painted an ivory color, and the walls a "light buff." The banking furniture and fixtures were American Walnut, and the floors were marble. The interior finishing cost just over $10,000, bringing the total cost to right around $30,000.

Visitors were shown through the private consultation room, quarters for the bank officers, and a private rest room for the ladies, complete with writing desks and easy chairs. Another room housed 200 private safety deposit boxes. One of the main attractions was the heavily reinforced vault, which included a five-ton door that was believed to be the largest of its kind in the county.

The doors closed at 10:30 PM, and after one day off, the bank employees got to work in their new building the following Monday. The building has housed a number of institutions over the years, including the Elks Lodge and the A.W.P.P.W. Union, and is currently the home of Beyond the Forest coffee and flower shop.

02/18/2026

Fifty years ago, on February 16, 1976, about fifty members of the public gathered with the students at the John Gumm Elementary School in St. Helens to hear the school bell ring for the first time in decades. Some locals couldn't remember hearing it ring since the 1930s.

John Gumm students began identifying projects to commemorate the nation's upcoming Bicentennial the previous fall. Principal Ray Justice reported that the school bell was lying unused on its side in the belfry above the school's porticoed front porch. Most of the hardware was intact, but the main support arch was missing. The students and teachers got excited about the prospect of putting the bell back into commission and began raising the estimated $75 required.

They began collecting coat hangers to sell to a local dry cleaning establishment and eventually raised $10. Interested community members pitched in the rest, and the missing main support was manufactured by the Walters Machine Shop. The school district reinstalled the bell, which weighed approximately 1,500 lbs. It was 40 inches across at the base, 2 1/2 feet tall, and the cast iron sides were 3 inches thick.

Mayor Rod Norwood rang the bell at the rededication ceremony at 1:00 PM on February 16. A schedule was established to ring the bell each school day at 8:45 and noon. The responsibility for ringing the bell rotated so that each student would eventually have a turn.

Do you remember ringing the bell?

(Please feel free to identify anyone you recognize)

02/12/2026

It's beginning to look a lot like... a museum! We can't wait to welcome you soon and show you what we have been working on.

10/18/2025

Come see us tomorrow, Sunday, Oct. 19 from 11:00 to 3:00!

ABOUT THE EVENT

The Columbia County Museum Association is providing the rare opportunity for you to learn about the filming of Halloweentown from Jerry Cole, the Halloweentown Postman, inside “Halloweentown City Hall.”

Please arrive 15 minutes before your scheduled tour.

Ticket Prices:

Adults (18+) - $25

Youth (5-17) - $12

Children (Under 5) - Free with adult

04/18/2025

Fifty years ago in April of 1975, this building was nearing completion. Do you recognize it?

03/21/2025

The big news 100 years ago was the announcement of a new paper mill coming to St. Helens, along with a new hospital. Take a look at some ads from the March 20, 1925, edition of The St. Helens Mist.

11/28/2024

Happy Thanksgiving!

(Image from The St. Helens Sentinel-Mist of November 20, 1945)

11/23/2024

Today, November 22, marks the 100th anniversary of the passing of Marshal Dale A. Perry, who died in the line of duty while patrolling the streets of St. Helens. Dale was a grandson of Francis and Elizabeth Perry, who were among the early pioneers of Columbia County.

11/11/2024