Monte Boggs Oral History Interview

In this interview, Monte Boggs discusses his upbringing and family life in rural Benton County near Philomath, Oregon. He talks about his family’s farm, the surrounding nature, and the community of Philomath. Boggs also describes his memories of the logging and mining industries in Corvallis when he was a child. The interview then turns to Boggs’ life in adulthood, including his work with the Water Department, in the shipyards, and in the military, with particular note of his participation in World War II. The conversation then turns to forestry and logging, with Boggs describing the trees that he sees during the interview, and his future plans for developing his land.

Monte Boggs was born in 1924 in Toledo, Oregon to Earl and Ethel Boggs. Shortly after his birth, his family moved to a plot of land outside of Philomath, Oregon, where Monte grew up. He attended Beavercreek and Corvallis schools until 1941, and graduated from Waldport High School in 1942. After completing high school, Boggs joined the Civilian Conservation Corps and then the U.S. Army, serving in the Pacific Theatre during World War II. He returned to Oregon after the war, and married Mabel Kikue Shoji. He and his wife purchased and lived on a farm south of Philomath, remaining there for several decades. Monte spent his early working years employed at multiple sawmills, and later opened his own business, Mainline Pump and Irrigation. A rock hound and history buff, Monte was a strong supporter of the Benton County Historical Society and a longtime volunteer at the Philomath Fire Department. He passed away in 2012.