SOUTH BENTON COMMUNITY MUSEUM

MONROE, OR

OR-126, Knowles Tunnel As part of ongoing efforts to address damage caused by recent winter storms, people traveling on OR 126W from Mapleton to Veneta experienced full closures and delays.

On Feb. 26, crews closed OR 126W at milepost 19 to bring in large equipment to deal with one particularly troublesome area above the west entrance to the Knowles Creek Tunnel. — OR-126, Knowles Tunnel Credit: OregonDOT

The South Benton Community Museum is a historical museum located in Monroe, Oregon. The museum is operated by the South Benton Community Historical Society, which was founded in 1987 to preserve and share the history of the South Benton County area.

The museum features exhibits that showcase the history of the area, including displays on agriculture, logging, and transportation. Visitors can see antique farm equipment, logging tools, and old photographs and documents that tell the story of the community.

The museum also has a research library that contains books, maps, and other materials related to the history of South Benton County. Visitors can use the library to research their family history, local history, or other topics of interest.

In addition to its regular exhibits, the South Benton Community Museum hosts special events and programs throughout the year. These events include talks by local historians, workshops on historical crafts and skills, and community celebrations.

Overall, the South Benton Community Museum is a wonderful resource for anyone interested in the history of South Benton County and the surrounding area. Its exhibits and programs offer a fascinating glimpse into the past, and its research library is a valuable tool for researchers and history enthusiasts.

SOUTH BENTON COMMUNITY MUSEUM is a Uncategorized or General Museum in MONROE OR. US MID #8404100015

The museum is classed as GMU (Uncategorized or General Museums). It comes under American Alliance of Museums (AAM) region: Western (Alaska, Arizona, California, Hawaii, Idaho, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, Washington).

VMS hit by falling tree During one of Lane County's most severe ice storms in years, our very own Region 2, District 5 Transportation Maintenance coordinator, Jake Jensen, took a routine road safety check and turned it into an extraordinary rescue mission.

On January 13, around 2:30 p.m., Jensen, returning to Veneta from the coast after assisting a coworker, encountered blocked westbound lanes at the Knowles Creek Tunnel on OR 126W. Recognizing the need for assistance, Jensen, armed with three power saws, extra chains, fuel and an unwavering determination, forged ahead aware he was in it for the long haul.

Alongside passengers from stranded vehicles, Jensen and the makeshift team cleared dozens of fallen trees from Knowles Creek Tunnel towards Veneta, braving extreme fatigue, 18 degree temperatures, freezing rain and darkness. The goal was to create a path just wide enough for vehicles to pass through.

One tree at a time
“The frozen trees dulled the chains,&quot; Jensen recalled. &quot;I had to rotate my saws, placing them inside the cab of my truck to keep them from freezing up. I went through six sets of bar chains. At one point, I made the decision to turn off my high beams because I could see how many more trees were in our path. I needed to focus on one tree at a time.”

Despite facing challenges, including a tree striking Jensen’s work truck, only damaging the Variable Message Sign and rack, he persisted, leading the convoy of cars behind him.

“As quickly as we were clearing trees in front of us, we could hear trees falling behind and all around us,” Jensen added. At one point, he met three vehicles trying to head west towards Florence. He swiftly turned them around before continuing east.

Over the next six and a half hours, Jensen faced ice-covered trees falling faster than they could be cleared, providing continuous updates to dispatch on the radio. ODOT colleagues dropped what they were doing to help, with Veneta and Glenwood crews working together to clear the path.

A successful rescue mission
Against all odds, what began as a road safety check evolved into a rescue mission, saving over a dozen vehicles and numerous passengers. They made it back to Veneta around 9 p.m., ensuring the safety of all stranded individuals.

Jensen, a dedicated 17-year employee, embodied determination, quick action and a get-it-done attitude, turning a hazardous situation into a remarkable display of community. We commend Jensen and all involved crews for their unwavering commitment to public safety.

January 2024 winter storm cleanup As the January 2024 snow and ice begins to thaw in the Willamette Valley, crews move into clean-up mode.

Contact SOUTH BENTON COMMUNITY MUSEUM

telephone: 5418477226

SOUTH BENTON COMMUNITY MUSEUM
140 S 5TH ST
MONROE
OR
97456

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SOUTH BENTON COMMUNITY MUSEUM Information

MID #	8404100015
Name	SOUTH BENTON COMMUNITY MUSEUM
Alternate Name
Classification	Uncategorized or General Museums, , Western
Federal Employer Identification Number (EIN)
NTEECC
Tax period of the latest return filed (YYYYMM)
INCOME	0
REVENUE	0
LAT/LONG	44.316019, -123.306797
CODES	FIPS State Code: 41 FIPS County Code: 003 US Census Tract: 010400 US Census Block: 3078