Douglas County, Oregon, stretches west from Crater Lake and the forested peaks of the Cascades until it reaches the shores of the Pacific in a tumult of rolling sand dunes. In this account, author R.J. Guyer recalls the frontier spirit and creative industry that shaped this land of one hundred valleys. Enjoy stories of Lookingglass's two-horse parking meter and Boswell Springs' cure-all mineral waters. Celebrate Reedsport's Olympic gold medalist and Oakland's one-time claim as turkey capital of the world. Remember the devastation of the Roseburg blast and the triumph of the Drain Black Sox's win in the National Baseball Conference World Series. From the establishment of the county to the preservation of historic landmarks, Guyer shares the rich heritage of Douglas County's communities.

It's hard to imagine that Douglas County's breathtaking vistas--now occupied by expanding suburbs and quiet, open spaces--were once the home to dinosaur herds and, later on, nomadic Indian tribes. The nation's second gold rush brought those seeking great fortunes to central Colorado, but it was the untapped potential of the area and a dream of taming the land that appealed most to early settlers of Douglas County. Pioneers like General Bela Hughes and John D. Perry (whose agreement led to the railroad connection across Kansas to Denver) and Martin Henry Goddard (who, along with his wife, Nellie, ran the Rhode Island Hotel) were among the first of many settlers to establish roots here. Join the Castle Rock Writers for a journey through the history of this land and the diverse legacy left behind by those who made it their home.