06/21/2009

Associated Press

When Oregon turned 100 in 1959 Eugene "Debbs" Potts needed a place for his vast collection of Oregon memorabilia.

it included an old stagecoach and a huge safe salvaged after the state Capitol burned in 1935.

He settled on 30 acres he owned north of Merlin, dubbed it "Pottsville," and the place boomed to include a church, school,store, library, blacksmith shop, hotel and museum.

This weekend a new museum is opening in the little town Potts created.

A lifelong collector of all things Oregon, Potts, named after Socialist presidential candidate Eugene V. Debs, served for 24 years as state senator representing Grants Pass, He later became the longest serving chairman of the Oregon Lottery Commission. He died in 2003 at age 93.

___

Information from: Daily Courier, http://www.thedailycourier.com