E.B. Lemon Oral History Interview (1 of 4)

A well-respected member of the Oregon State University history, E.B. Lemon spent most of his life dedicated to the students of OSU. An active member in both the school administration and the Corvallis community, he supported many difficult decisions, such as the establishment of a high school on 11th street in the 1930s. Lemon continued to contribute to Corvallis and Oregon State until his death in 1979.

In Lemon’s first interview, he begins with what he remembers best about his grandparents. Later, Lemon speaks about his life at Grass Valley, remarking on the change in lifestyles as transportation and access gave way to opportunities outside of town. Interestingly enough, Lemon had the opportunity to watch the DeMoss family, a well-known family musical troupe, on several occasions. The family had a tract of land, DeMoss Springs, and many took advantage of the picnic area that was provided. As Lemon recalls it, people traveled the most during the summertime. Once he went off to college, he was a bit a hesitant to be on his own, but he adapted to university life quite easily. He recalls favorably Professor Horner and how Horner taught him to improve his penmanship.