1859 Magazine

1859 Magazine

Cross-sectional illustration of a rain garden showing water inflow, mulch layer, amended soil, native shrubs, perennials, grasses, ponding depth, and overflow area.
DIY, Home + Design, Live Oregon

How to Design a Rain Garden

written by Melissa Dalton | illustration by Edwin Ouellette A rain garden is designed to, just as the name suggests, soak up the rainwater runoff from a roof, driveway or patio. It’s typically created by digging a shallow depression and then filling it with dirt and native shrubs, perennials and grasses. All of this works to collect rainwater and filter out the pollutants—things like fertilizer, oil and chemicals—before that water enters storm drains and ends up in our waterways. The rain garden process also replenishes groundwater and acts as habitat for local species. Here are our tips for building your own rain garden at home: » Note: Sometimes, the water company will offer a discount on your utility bill if you install a rain garden on your property. Check with yours! Also, always research local rules and code before starting a project like this. ① ASSESS THE SITE First, check…

Strawberries from Oregon, showcasing vibrant red color and fresh green leaves, highlighting local produce and agricultural richness.
Explore Oregon, Trip Planner

Albany and Linn County Oregon Trip Planner

In the mid-Willamette Valley, uncover messy good times, outdoor adventure and bluesy jams written by James Sinks If some of the best things in life are messy, you’re in extraordinary luck in Linn County. On the first weekend of every June—and still going strong after 130 years—Oregon’s “Strawberry City” hosts the sticky jamboree known as the Lebanon Strawberry Festival. The old-timey event celebrates the arrival of sweet “Hood” varietals in nearby fields, with a royal princess court, carnival, shortcake-eating contest (you’re disqualified if you don’t keep it down) and free shortcake for some 8,000 people. While that’s an impressive volume of deliciousness, it’s a fraction of the legendary 1975 version that weighed almost 3 tons—enough to feed 16,000—easily besting California rival Garden Grove in a “Battle of the Shortcakes.” The Oregon fest is the sort of place where you won’t just be happy about the napkins. It’s a throwback to…

High-quality woodworking tools including a hammer, saw blade, measuring tape, and screws arranged on a light-colored surface.
Game Changer, Think Oregon

Girls Build Empowers Young Women Through Hands-On Construction Camps

Portland-based Girls Build teaches construction basics and life lessons written by James Sinks | photo illustration by 1859 Staff; photos from Bigstock For more young girls and in more places, the buzzing saws, whirring drills and empowering vibes are back this summer. A decade ago, Portland carpenter Katie Hughes gathered in her living room with a group of fellow tradeswomen, bowls of homemade soup and a question: What could they do about the next generation of young women and the gender disparity in the building trades? The solution: teach, prepare and empower. With a nudge from those dinner party guests, Girls Build was founded. And at the helm of the new nonprofit was Hughes, who’d previously run a construction-focused girls’ education program. That first summer, in 2016, a group of eighty girls ages 8 to 15 attended the charity’s inaugural summer camp in Portland, where they learned how to safely…

Historic Oregon Lodge with scenic views of forested hills and lush greenery, capturing the natural beauty and outdoor charm of Oregon.
Explore Oregon, Lodging

Tu Tu’ Tun Lodge on Oregon’s Rogue River

written by Kerry Newberry Like a scene lifted from the pages of Norman Maclean’s famous novella, a river runs through the remote Tu Tu’ Tun Lodge. Long revered for its worldclass fly-fishing and lush woodlands, the lodge has offered a restorative retreat since opening in 1970. Just 7 miles inland from the coastline, its lyrical name pays tribute to the Tututni—the Indigenous tribe that originally lived on the land, and loosely translates as “people of the place by the water.” Now in a new chapter under fresh ownership, the property has been thoughtfully reimagined without losing its quiet soul. Lodge rooms have been refreshed with earthy textures and understated comforts, while a collection of mirrored cabins—set along the riverbank, creek and wooded edges—bring nature in at every turn. Mornings unfurl with birdsong, the swish of sedge grass and the steady cadence of the river. A handful of modern indulgences add…

Scenic view of a lush green forest and mountain landscape seen from a tent porch in Oregon, with sunlight filtering through tall trees and a clear blue sky.
Featured

Best Glamping Destinations in Oregon

written by Jean Chen Smith There’s a certain magic in sleeping under canvas without sacrificing comfort, watching fog drift across forested ridges or hearing the ocean’s hush as you drift to sleep. Glamping—where “wild” meets “comfort”—has matured into a travel category that embraces design, locale and experience. From mirrored cabins and geodesic domes on the Oregon Coast to Airstreams and treetop perches across the state, Oregon offers a variety of memorable stays that prove you don’t have to rough it to get outside. Tierra Del Mar TWO CAPES LOOKOUT Where forest meets salt air, Two Capes Lookout reinvents the coastal glamping experience with a striking collection of geodesic domes and mirrored cabins tucked into a grove of towering Sitka spruce. Perched along the rugged sweep of the Oregon Coast, the property feels both elemental and architectural, a place where modern design bows to dramatic cliffs and the open ocean. In…

Historic Oregon Waterfront Resort with Hot Springs and Scenic Views.
Explore Oregon, Travel Spotlight

Hot Lake Springs Oregon Retreat Guide

A restorative escape to Hot Lake Springs written by Joni Kabana | photography by Hot Lake Springs Resort On a winding stretch of Highway 203 near La Grande, there’s a place where the earth whispers its secret warmth: Hot Lake Springs Resort (formerly The Lodge at Hot Lake Springs), a historic haven carved from geothermal mineral waters. Pull into the gravel drive as the late-afternoon sun gilds the surrounding bluff, and you’ll feel it first: a hint of sulfur in the air, an ancient promise of rest and renewal. Once a famed early-twentieth-century spa resort known as the “Mayo Clinic of the West,” Hot Lake drew weary travelers and health seekers from around the globe to its bubbling springs and grand brick hotel. Step inside today, and the echoes of that illustrious past are palpable in every beam and brick. Though the lodge has seen fire, abandonment and decades of…

Woman smiling in a library with stacks of Oregon Blue Books, representing Oregon's literary and historical stories.
My Workspace, Think Oregon

Carla Axtman Preserves Oregon’s Stories Through the Blue Book

Carla Axtman helps craft Oregon’s narrative, one page at a time written by Joni Kabana | photography by Karl Maasdam Some people are born knowing exactly what they are meant to do. Others discover it slowly, through experiences, loss and the quiet accumulation of stories. For Carla Axtman, storytelling has always been the throughline, a personal instinct that has come naturally to her. “Being a storyteller means hearing others and learning their stories,” she said. “It takes a desire to understand and a willingness to simply listen.” Axtman was raised in John Day, where her childhood stretched from kindergarten to graduation alongside the same small constellation of friends. It was a place that taught her both belonging and endurance, wonder and limitation. Living in this small town shaped not just her personality, but also how she sees the world around her. Five generations of her family have lived in this…

Juicy roasted lamb leg garnished with fresh rosemary and edible flowers, served on a black platter. Perfect for gourmet dining and special occasions.
Farm to Table, Food+Drink, Live Oregon, Recipes

3 Must-Try Lamb Recipes from Portland Chefs

Grilled Lamb Shoulder Chops with Rosemary Marinade Ox Restaurant / PORTLAND Greg Denton, chef/owner (2017 James Beard Award, Best Chef, Pacific Northwest) Recipe from Around the Fire: Recipes for Inspired Grilling and Seasonal Feasting from Ox Restaurant SERVES 4 Ingredients: Instructions: Lamb Empanadas with Citrus, Dates and Mint LaChona Empanadas y Vinos Argentinos / PORTLANDAmy Fuertes Mulé, owner and chef MAKES APPROXIMATELY 14 EMPANADAS Ingredients: Instructions: Fork-Tender Lamb Shanks Alan Hanson SERVES 4-6 Ingredients: Instructions: Chef’s note: If desired, when the meat is cool enough to handle, cut it off the bones and coarsely chop. Discard the fat and bones. Stir meat into the onion-broth mixture along with the Kalamata olives. Serve as directed above.

A scenic view of powerful waterfalls in Daredevil Country, Oregon, during sunset, showcasing rugged terrain, cascading water, and dramatic natural beauty.
Explore Oregon, Northwest Destination

Twin Falls Idaho Adventure Guide

Southern Idaho’s Twin Falls attracts risk-takers and thrill-seekers written by James Sinks | photography by Visit Idaho Adrenaline comes from two primary places: your adrenal glands and Twin Falls, Idaho. Built at the edge of a 500-foot-deep canyon carved by the Snake River, the community of some 55,000 people is a scenic stepping-off point—and for daredevils, a jumping-off spot—for a plethora of pulse-quickening and sense-satisfying adventures. The most renowned of local risk-takers was legendary stuntman and frequent bonebreaker Evel Knievel, who gained worldwide attention just over a half century ago when he planned to soar across the canyon on a rocket motorcycle. In September 1974, with a rowdy crowd watching and television cameras rolling, the stuntman—wearing his signature white leather jumpsuit—hit the throttle in his steam-powered “X-2 Skycycle” and flew up a ramp. But the attempt fizzled when his parachute prematurely ejected on takeoff. The rocket spun downward into the…