Voices of Gresham

Episode 10: Historic Homes

Every building in Gresham is a silent witness to history, marking time and reminding us that we are only the most recent visitors to this area. We walk and drive by many homes, schools, offices and hospitals every day without pausing to wonder or contemplate their significance. Today, we’re going to look at three of these buildings from different eras in Gresham's history and uncover some of the stories they have to tell. One house erected before Gresham was even a city saw dramatic family feuds, publicized and messy court cases, and a young married woman owning property in her own name. From World War I to the 1960s, a Rockwood institution provided care and training to girls and very young women who had nowhere else to turn; and finally, a dream home was designed in love letters, providing comfort and hope for a World War II soldier and his wife.

Episode 9: Women's Work

When looking back at our history, there is a common misconception that women didn’t work until WWII. However, this couldn’t be further from the truth. Women’s labor has always been an important part of the US economy, whether paid or unpaid. Throughout the decades of the twentieth century, though, the nature of this work changed as the country changed. More opportunities became available, and women’s labor became more diversified. Charlotte Becker takes us through what this transition looked like in Gresham – using personal stories of housewives, teachers, entrepreneurs, and many more.

Episode 8: Currents of Change

When we think of Gresham history, many stories come to mind: pioneers arriving, Prohibition unfolding, political conflict shaping the future of the city we love. As we wander through the streets and fields of Gresham today, it’s easy to overlook the layers of history beneath our feet. On today's episode, we’ll journey through the environmental story of Gresham and uncover how the nearly endless millennia of constant transformation shaped the town we know today. Kayte Williamson and Kendal Young, our newest voices of Gresham, explore the powerful and sometimes surprising connections between the environment and the community that calls this place home.

Episode 7: Prohibition: Spirits and Speakeasies in East County

At a glance, 1920s Gresham appeared to be a quaint, sleepy farm town. However, beneath the surface, something strange was brewing. Stills and speakeasies were popping up rapidly – much to the frustration of the county sheriff. From barns and backyards, moonshine travelled east and west along Base Line Road. As Portland residents flocked to Rockwood’s roadhouses, colorful characters connected over illicit spirits. Join us as we hear from those who lived it, exploring this hidden history 100 years later.

Episode 6: Reparations and Moving Forward

The decades following WWII were pivotal for Gresham’s Japanese American community. Many engaged with Japanese traditions alongside the American notion of freedom that internment had denied them. It was a time of reparations and rebuilding, of both seeking amends for the past and creating a better future. Through it all, Miyo’s unmarked grave rested beneath a tall cedar – a symbol of strength and resilience throughout 100 years of history. Music for this episode: Simplicity by Scott Buckley - released under CC-BY 4.0. www.scottbuckley.com.au