Philomath: The tale of two colleges

Scott Ramsey had no idea when he bought his Philomath home that it would lead him on a journey into the town’s past.

His home, now known as the G.W. Bethers House on the Register of Historic Places, was in need of remodeling when he moved in. When he tore into the walls, he found newspapers used for insulation from the 1880s.

After discovering the newspapers, he took them to the Benton County Historical Society. They were from Dayton, Ohio, which seemed strange to Ramsey, but not to the historian who saw them. The house, it seemed was one of the town’s original homes, from a time when Philomath was known as Mary’s River Settlement.

As Ramsey soon learned, pioneers who began to settle in the West wrote to those they left behind. G.W. Bethers arrived in the 1850s, and as an active member of his Ohio-based Brethren church, he wrote his pastor about the fertile land with the river passage-way that would make for a great townsite.

The pastor published Bethers’ letter in the The Religious Telescope — the same name on the newspapers found in Ramsey’s home. In response to the published letter, 96 people and 13 wagons headed west to the Mary’s River Settlement.

They would become the people who laid the foundation of the town we know today.

Lovers of learning

The settlers embodied a love of learning, the meaning of “Philomath” translated from Greek. They built the Philomath College on Main Street in 1867— familiar to residents today as the museum, which is also on the Register of Historic Places.

Although most the townspeople had shared the same ideals decades before, in the 1880s there was a schism in the church that divided the town into “radicals” and “liberals.”

The radicals believed secret societies, specifically freemasons, should not be allowed in the church. Radicals also believed that teaching science conflicted with many of their religious beliefs. The liberals believed the opposite.

The division of the church and the townspeople led to a new college built by the radicals. Opened in 1889, it was called the College of Philomath. Although the first two buildings burned, the third schoolhouse, built in 1909, still stands today on 10th Street and Pioneer.

According to school records, after serving at least 399 students, the College of Philomath closed in 1913. Philomath College followed in 1929.

Operating within eyesight of each other, both colleges were plagued with financial problems and recruitment issues. Their closures led to students enrolling elsewhere, many to Oregon Agricultural College, that would later become Oregon State University.

Although the bell tower is restored, the portico
is still missing on the front of the building.

Preserving history

After Ramsey learned of the town’s history, his house was added to the national registry in 1997. A few years later, he learned that the former College of Philomath was for sale. He feared someone would buy and destroy it.

“In terms of the building, it has great significance to the community,” said Benton County Historian Mary Gallagher. “Certainly getting this house on the national registry would be significant for the town.”

Ramsey told local philanthropist Andrew Martin about his concerns. Martin purchased the $340,000 property and gifted it to what would become the College of Philomath Community Corporation (CPCC). The deal was made on a 20 year loan in which CPCC would pay back the funds. Ramsey was named president.

“I had no idea I would become the town’s history buff, it just happened that way,” said Ramsey. “I like the building, I love the history of it.”

Today, the College of Philomath building houses five tenants. The apartments are in each of the five former classrooms with 14-foot ceilings and 4-foot hallways connecting them — just as they were a century ago.

The CPCC found after applying for nine grants, which were all denied, that in order to receive funds to restore the building it must be out-right owned. The idea is to use rent from tenants to pay down what is still owed.

“We’re down to $140,000, and once we get it down or somebody comes along with the money, we’ll apply for more grants,” Ramsey said.

In the interim, the CPCC still plans “to renovate the College of Philomath building in a historically sensitive way that preserves the building’s historic charm,” according to their mission statement. After renovation, they will convert it to a full-service senior center.

The project, including evolutionary changes required for a community building, is estimated to cost $1.6 million. Of that, $500,000 is the cost of the senior center’s required adaptations such as an elevator for handicap access, a full-service kitchen, HVAC, and sprinklers.

Ramsey is in the process of getting the building on the registry after completion of the missing bell tower, made possible by a Ford Family Grant of $75,000.

Current CPCC board members include Maggie Sweetin, Jay Sexton, Toni Hoyman and Scott Ramsey. They are seeking additional board members or grant writers that can assist in applying for grants that may become available after successful registry as a historic place.

10 "brain" foods you should eat

The average human brain weighs only 3 pounds and makes up about 2 percent of our body mass. The brain, small in comparison to our bodies, uses about 20 percent of our daily caloric intake—more than any other human organ. Eating the right foods to feed our brain is a smart idea. With the right kinds of carbohydrates, proteins, fats and vitamins, these “brain foods” will help build healthy brain cells, and a healthier you.

Blueberries

Blueberries are considered one of the top brain foods, and are linked to improved memory, learning, reasoning, decision-making, and comprehension. Blueberries help maintain communication between brain cells, and eating blueberries activates the production of BDNF, a protein that is superior at stimulating new brain cell production. Blueberries are also exceptionally good at protecting the brain from degeneration. This fruit is one of the highest known antioxidant-rich foods, containing vitamin C and K and fiber. What you may not know about these blue powerhouses is that frozen berries actually contain more available nutrients than fresh ones!

Avocados

Avocados are loaded with fiber and vitamins. They contain vitamin C, E, and K as well as folate, a type of B vitamin that is key for cell growth. Both vitamin B and C are not made in our bodies, so consuming them is important. Although avocados are often considered a “fatty” fruit, the fat they contain, monounsaturated fats, are the good kind. Monounsaturated fat contributes to healthy blood flow, and is one reason avocados help lower blood pressure and promote overall brain health. They also boost production of the neurotransmitter dopamine, which helps improve cognitive function, memory, and concentration.

Leafy Greens

Green leafy vegetables like kale, collards, spinach, chard, and bok choy are some of the best sources of B vitamins. Of the B vitamins, three in particular—folic acid, B6 and B12—are essential brain vitamins. An Oxford University study found that these three vitamins work together to reduce brain atrophy, improve brain function, and reduce brain shrinkage in the part of the brain most affected by Alzheimer’s. Leafy greens are a good source of the amino acid L-tyrosine which can improve your mood and increase your ability to learn, solve problems, and remember. 

Root Vegetables

Potatoes, yams, carrots, beets, turnips, and legumes are high in fiber and complex carbohydrates that supply your brain with a steady stream of energy. Because your brain cannot produce glucose, root vegetables give your brain a constant supply. They are sources of antioxidants and important nutrients such as vitamin A and C, potassium, magnesium, and dietary fiber. They are believed to boost blood flow to your brain, improving your alertness, focus, and ability to encode new memories. 

Turmeric

Maybe unfamiliar by name, Turmeric is the spice that gives curry its gold hue. The compound curcumin is found in turmeric and is a potent antioxidant that boosts levels of the brain hormone BDNF, which increases the growth of brain cells and fights degenerative processes in the brain. Turmeric also helps keep your immune system healthy while improving your brain’s oxygen intake. For all these reasons, turmeric keeps you alert and able to process information, improves memory, and reduces brain inflammation.

Coconut Oil

Coconut oil contains medium chain triglycerides (MCTs) which enables the oil to supply energy directly to the brain. Since your brain’s main source of energy is from glucose, and because your brain cells can’t store energy, they need a constant supply. MCTs help do that. It’s this property that also makes coconut oil a potential treatment for neurological disorders. Coconut oil works as a natural anti-inflammatory, suppressing cells responsible for inflammation. It also helps with memory loss and memory disorders. When given to adults with mild cognitive impairment, they experienced significant improvement in memory recall within 90 minutes of taking their first dose.

Dark Chocolate

Made from the cocoa seed, chocolate contains a number of compounds that increase pleasure-giving substances called endorphins. Chocolate boosts mood, protects the brain from damage, improves memory and focus, and reduces stress. It also contains stimulants like caffeine and theobromine, which contribute to improved memory and focus. Chocolate’s health benefits are largely attributed to compounds called flavonoids, which are powerful antioxidants linked to neurodegenerative prevention. In general, darker chocolate contains the most flavonoids and is best when made with at least 70 percent dark chocolate.

Rosemary

Like many herbs, rosemary has significant antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties to fight free radical damage in the brain, which are linked to neurodegeneration. Carnosic acid, a phytochemical found in this herb, is particularly good for protecting the brain from strokes and neurodegenerative conditions. Rosemary also stimulates nerve growth factor synthesis, reversing nerve cell damage.

Wild Salmon

Most fish, but especially salmon, have a high concentration of omega-3 fatty acids, one of the most important nutrients for your brain. Omega-3s support healthy brain cell structure. Two important omega-3s, EPA and DHA, are found in certain fish, particularly wild salmon. Wild salmon get their omega-3 from their natural food sources—wild plankton and small crustaceans—as compared to their farm-raised counterparts that receive very little of each. Omega-3s also improve the brainpower of younger adults. Research from the University of Pittsburgh found adults under age 25 who increased their omega-3 intake over six months improved their scores on tests measuring working memory.

Walnuts

Most nuts and seeds, although small in size, are nutritional powerhouses. Of all the nuts, walnuts are considered a top nut for brain health. They have a high concentration of DHA, a type of Omega-3 fatty acid that is essential for the brain. DHA has also been shown to improve cognitive performance and memory, and prevent age-related cognitive decline.