Oral history interview with John A. Silvertooth

Collection

Identifier: SR463

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

This oral history interview with John A. Silvertooth was conducted by Jack P. Steiwer at Silvertooth’s store in Antelope, Oregon, around 1970. In this interview, Silvertooth discusses the history of Antelope and the Wasco County area. He talks about his family background and early life in Antelope in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. He talks about the businesses he owned in Antelope, particularly the Idle Hours Tavern and a museum that burned down in 1964. He also briefly talks about his unsuccessful campaign for the Oregon Legislature. He speaks about homesteaders in the area, sheep and cattle ranching, and some of the families that lived in the area. Silvertooth tells a story about a bar brawl in his tavern; talks about some of the items in his store where the interview took place; and shares his memories of early automobiles and railroad lines in the area. He also talks about the origins of place names in Wasco County. He closes the interview by discussing running his tavern during Prohibition.

Dates

1970

Creator

Silvertooth, John A. (John Addison), 1885-1972 (Interviewee, Person)

Conditions Governing Access

Collection is open for research.

Conditions Governing Use

Joint copyright for this interview is held by the Oregon Historical Society and the estate of John A. Silvertooth. Use is allowed according to the following statement: In Copyright – Non-Commercial Use Permitted, http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC-NC/1.0/.

Biographical note

John Addison Silvertooth was born in Antelope, Oregon, in 1885. In 1909, he and Laura Elizabeth Stocker were married; they later had two children. He owned several businesses in Antelope, including the Idle Hours Tavern, the Silvertooth Store, a barbershop, and a museum. His museum was destroyed in a 1964 fire. He also served as Antelope mayor, town clerk, and justice of the peace. He died in 1972.

Extent

.1 Cubic Feet (1 audiotape reel (59 min., 9 sec.)) : 5 in.; 1.875 ips

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

Oral history interview with John A. Silvertooth conducted by Jack P. Steiwer around 1970. Silvertooth owned several businesses in Antelope, Oregon, including the Idle Hour Tavern, a barbershop, and a museum.