1901 – George Zinser sells his house to Charles Rebstock and moves to California. The home would become known as the Rebstock House and was located on the site of the present-day Happy Valley Policing Station. 1 1902 – In a meeting at the school, a new name for the valley is selected to be “Christilla Valley” to honor Christian (Chris) and Matilda (Tilla) Deardorff. 2 December 7, 1902 – John M. Deardorff passes away and is buried in the Christilla Pioneer Cemetery on Scouters’ Mountain. 3 1908 – A farmers’ telephone line is installed providing telephone communication in Happy Valley with the outside world. 4 Charles Rebstock Courtesy: The Rebstock family Christilla Pioneer Cemetery, 1995 Photo by Bud Unruh Part 2 Happy Valley History A Chronology of
Transcript
1901 – George Zinser sells his house to
Charles Rebstock and moves to
California. The home would become
known as the Rebstock House and was
located on the site of the present-day
Happy Valley Policing Station.1
1902 – In a meeting at the school, a
new name for the valley is selected to
be “Christilla Valley” to honor Christian
(Chris) and Matilda (Tilla) Deardorff.2
December 7, 1902 – John M. Deardorff
passes away and is buried in the Christilla
Pioneer Cemetery on Scouters’ Mountain.3
1908 – A farmers’ telephone line is
installed providing telephone
communication in Happy Valley
with the outside world.4
Charles Rebstock Courtesy: The Rebstock family
Christilla Pioneer Cemetery, 1995 Photo by Bud Unruh
Part 2
Happy Valley History
A Chronology of
1909 – The U.S. Government leases
land just south of Mount Talbert to
establish the Clackamas Rifle Range.
The government exercised its option
to purchase the land in 1910 and
was renamed Camp Withycombe
during World War I after Oregon’s
governor at the time, James
Withycombe. The site is now the
home of the Oregon Military
Museum.6
May 17, 1911 – Charles Rebstock’s son Edward is born in Happy Valley. Ed helped
build many of Happy Valley’s roads, string its telephone lines, install its water
system, organized the fire district, served on the board of directors for the
elementary school, and was known as “Mr. Happy Valley.”7
Camp Withycombe Courtesy: Oregon Military Museum
Frank Ott’s feed mill (Sunnyside Store at right), 1917 Courtesy: Clackamas County Historical Society
1908 – Frank Ott opens a feed mill on Sunnyside Road. Ott and his wife Louise would
also open the adjoining Sunnyside Country Store, which would be used often by Happy
Valley residents. The buildings exist to this day.5
1917 – The original school is
replaced by a larger school-
house on the same site. This
structure would later become
the music room when the
school expanded.8
1925 – Happy Valley’s first
paved road is constructed.9
1925 – Happy Valley receives
electricity.10
July 19, 1930 – The Mount Scott Water District is officially incorporated
by the state of Oregon.11
Circa 1946 – A central water system is installed in Happy Valley.12
1949 – Happy Valley Rural Fire District No. 65 is formed by volunteers.13
Happy Valley, or “East Mt. Scott,” School, 1950 Courtesy: Clackamas County Historical Society
Road work in Happy Valley, 1915 Courtesy: Clackamas County Historical Society
1955 – Construction begins
for a Boy Scouts’ lodge on
Scouters’ Mountain. The
22,000 square-foot building
featured a hall with room for
about 600 people and dorm
rooms that could sleep up to
190 people. It was renamed
the “Chief Obie Lodge” in
1980 after the late G.H.
“Obie” Oberteuffer, who
established the training
center there.14
November 1957 – The new Clackamas High School in Milwaukie is dedicated, which
Happy Valley students will attend.15
1958 – The Happy Valley fire station on King Road is built.16
1962 – The Columbus Day storm downs trees, blocks roads, damages buildings, and
knocks out electric power in Happy Valley.17
July 10, 1963 – A portion of the property of Robert and Doris Francis is purchased by
the Mount Scott Investment Group for the purpose of creating a park. The remaining
portion of their property was purchased in 1964 and the land is now the Happy Valley
City Park.18
Happy Valley Fire Station, 1996 Photo by Bud Unruh
Chief Obie Lodge Photo by David Anderson
August 25, 1965 – Happy Valley residents vote 111 to 66 in favor of
incorporation and the vote is certified by the Board of Clackamas County
Commissioners. Happy Valley becomes Clackamas County’s 11th municipality
and the first since 1913.19
November 17, 1965 – The first
Happy Valley City council meeting
takes place at the Happy Valley fire
station. James Robnett becomes
Happy Valley’s first mayor at the
meeting.20
City limits south boundary on 122nd, 1989 Photo by Bud Unruh
City Council meeting, 1969 (left to right) Jack Kato, James Robnett, Harry Niehoff, Jack Allen
Courtesy: City of Happy Valley
References
1 Zinser, Alton. “Zinser Family – As I Know It.” 2010; “Warranty Deed From J. George Zinser and wife to
Charles Rebstock and Bertha Rebstock his wife”, 24 Sept. 1901.
2 “Name Selected in Honor of Pioneer Settlers Near Mount Scott.” Sunday Oregonian
16 November, 1902.
3 “Funeral of John Deardorff.” Morning Oregonian 10 December, 1902.
4 Morning Oregonian 15 June, 1908.
5 Oregon City Enterprise 24 July, 1908.
6 McArthur, Lewis A., and McArthur, Lewis L. Oregon Geographic Names. 7th ed. Portland: Oregon
Historical Society Press, 2003.
7 “’Mr. Happy Valley’ dies of cancer.” Oregonian 15 April 1984.
8 Happy Valley School. The History of Happy Valley, Oregon. 1969, 19.
9 Happy Valley School. The History of Happy Valley, Oregon. 1969, 11.
10 Happy Valley School. The History of Happy Valley, Oregon. 1969, 11.
11 Sunrise Water Authority records.
12 Happy Valley School. The History of Happy Valley, Oregon. 1969, 12.
13 Sample, Noreen. “Happy Valley As I Remember It.”
