WCCLS Calendar

Multnomah Falls...the Historic Columbia River Highway...Portland's iconic "bubbler" fountains...the Benson Hotel...Benson Polytechnic High School...these priceless public assets exemplify the dedication and generosity of Simon Benson.

Join us on Thursday, January 24 at 6pm in the Community Meeting Room as author, filmmaker and historian Sig Unander tells how a humble woodsman overcame daunting challenges to become Oregon's Lumber King and then worked just as diligently giving back to his adopted state and country. A poor Norwegian immigrant, Benson's life was a cross-section of Oregon's development, a story of incredible achievement. He revolutionized Oregon's logging industry, pioneering steam power and inventing huge seagoing log rafts. He led the movement to build good roads and was first Chair of the Oregon State Highway Commission. Benson was honored as Oregon Citizen of the Year and at the Panama-Pacific International Exposition in San Francisco.