Jean Starker Roth Oral History Interview on Corvallis During Her Youth, August 10, 2010

Partial Transcript: rode my bike to Corvallis, then the Corvallis High School, and I would go up to Van Buren on the corner where we would just move to the Delta Zeta house and I would ride with my friends who came from another block or so away, and we'd all whistle.

Segment Synopsis: To start this interview, Jean Starker Roth discusses her childhood memories in Corvallis. She and the interviewer tour around Corvallis, exploring the places where Roth lived and went to school. They begin at houses at 315 NW 12th Street and 320 NW 23rd Street, where Roth’s family lived while she was a child. She shares memories of living in an apartment building, her family's connection to an Olympic champion wrestler named Robin Reid, and her experiences growing up next to sororities. The conversation touches on details of the houses, such as the layout of bedrooms and a guest room shared with a member of the nearby sorority. Roth also mentions the fact that her father, T.J. Starker, built garages that were rented to students for car storage at $10 a term.

Partial Transcript: But you remember them as garages, not car ports.

Segment Synopsis: Roth goes on to provide additional insights into the history of the area around Harrison and 23rd Street in Corvallis. She talks about the buildings her father, T.J. Starker, constructed in the area, including a duplex and garages. She mentions living in one of the houses briefly while her father was building another on Harrison Street at 35th or 36th Street. Roth and the interviewer discuss the transformation of the house on the corner into a bed and breakfast, and Roth notes the connection between the house and the Allison Spa in McMinnville. The conversation also touches on the location of the first nursery her father had built and the subsequent nursery on the opposite corner. She then shifts to her memories of riding her bike to Corvallis High School, highlighting the central park in town, which used to house the school before it burned down. The interview provides a glimpse into the history and changes in the neighborhood and the central park in Corvallis.

Partial Transcript: I can't, I can't see what they're doing, but we have a group there now using it.

Segment Synopsis: The speakers continue to discuss the changes in the local schools in Corvallis. The conversation revolves around the relocation and reconstruction of the high school, which was torn down while Roth was young. The discussion then shifts to Jean Starker Roth's experiences in grade school. She explains that she attended Harding School for her first two years, but when the school district changed the boundary lines, she and a group of students were suddenly instructed to go to Franklin School. Roth also describes an old photograph from 1936 that shows a big city block, that she believes may be Franklin School. The interview provides insights into Roth’s memories of the changes in the school district, the challenges of adjusting to new boundaries, and the nostalgic memories associated with the old school buildings in Corvallis.

Partial Transcript: So that was Franklin School?

Segment Synopsis: In this section of the interview, the conversation turns to Cedar Hurst, a two-block area developed by Roth’s father, T.J. Starker. Roth describes the houses built in this subdivision, which she notes were largely colonial style. The interview also covers the old hospital on Short Street, with Roth recalling its use and sharing memories of ambulances coming down the street. Roth express uncertainty about the current status of the old hospital, which has a fence around it and no clear public information on its use. Overall, the interview provides insights into the history of specific locations in Corvallis and the changes they have undergone over the years, including developments in housing, schools, and healthcare facilities.

Partial Transcript: As we drive down here just to continue telling a story. Oh, what comes to mind of knocking out the people there?

Segment Synopsis: To conclude the interview, Roth talks about her experience teaching at McKenzie School as well as her work during World War II, when she taught women about canning, using food stamps, and repairing small appliances