Every building in Gresham is a silent witness to history, marking time and reminding us that we are only the most recent visitors to this area. We walk and drive by many homes, schools, offices and hospitals every day without pausing to wonder or contemplate their significance. Today, we’re going to look at three of these buildings from different eras in Gresham's history and uncover some of the stories they have to tell. One house erected before Gresham was even a city saw dramatic family feuds, publicized and messy court cases, and a young married woman owning property in her own name. From World War I to the 1960s, a Rockwood institution provided care and training to girls and very young women who had nowhere else to turn; and finally, a dream home was designed in love letters, providing comfort and hope for a World War II soldier and his wife.

When looking back at our history, there is a common misconception that women didn’t work until WWII. However, this couldn’t be further from the truth. Women’s labor has always been an important part of the US economy, whether paid or unpaid. Throughout the decades of the twentieth century, though, the nature of this work changed as the country changed. More opportunities became available, and women’s labor became more diversified. Charlotte Becker takes us through what this transition looked like in Gresham – using personal stories of housewives, teachers, entrepreneurs, and many more.

When we think of Gresham history, many stories come to mind: pioneers arriving, Prohibition unfolding, political conflict shaping the future of the city we love. As we wander through the streets and fields of Gresham today, it’s easy to overlook the layers of history beneath our feet. On today's episode, we’ll journey through the environmental story of Gresham and uncover how the nearly endless millennia of constant transformation shaped the town we know today. Kayte Williamson and Kendal Young, our newest voices of Gresham, explore the powerful and sometimes surprising connections between the environment and the community that calls this place home.