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 George Nurse Historical Marker - Klamath Falls, OR
N 42° 13.195 W 121° 47.365
10T E 599912 N 4674903
This historical marker exists on the corner of Main St and Conger Ave. in Klamath Falls, OR.
Waymark Code: WMF8KD
Location: Oregon, United States
Date Posted: 09/10/2012
Views: 7
George Nurse
Historical Marker dedicated April, 1966
This historical marker resides in the corner parking lot of a former motel at the end of Main St, just before you cross the Link River Bridge in Klamath Falls. This historical marker was erected by the Eulalona Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution and they have a website that lists other historical markers they have erected over the years in and around Klamath Falls.
The following text comes from the Oregon History Project and describes George Nurse's life and accomplishments:
Born in New York in 1820, George Nurse, pictured here circa 1900, entered the Oregon Country through California in the early 1860s. In 1860, the Federal Government granted the states swamplands, and by 1867, Oregon opened these lands to settlers. That same year, after securing 160 acres from the state, Nurse established Linkville on the eastern bank of the Link River, between Klamath Lake and Lake Ewauna.
Nurse registered the first plat of the town in 1878. He rafted lumber 42 miles down Klamath Lake from Fort Klamath sawmill to build a store and hotel which would accommodate area settlers and passing travelers. “Generous to a fault,” Nurse donated land from the townsite to settlers promising to build a home and later provided sites for a school, courthouse, and cemetery. Newspaper correspondents covering the Modoc War and Army soldiers marching through Linkville later publicized Linkville’s accommodations and Nurse’s generosity.
After wearing many hats in Linkville, including six years as postmaster and a brief turn at registrar of the land office, Nurse moved in 1883 to Yreka, California. Linkville was renamed Klamath Falls in 1893, and today, the Link River Bridge crosses the river at the site of Nurse’s store.
The historical marker text says the following:
Erected by Eulalona Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution
IN MEMORY OF
GEORGE NURSE
June 4, 1820-November 26, 1895
Founder and Benefactor of Linkville
(Klamath Falls)
Rafted lumber down Upper Klamath Lake and
built first buildings on this site, 1867.
Registered first official plat of town, 1878.
Was Linkville's first hotel keeper, postermaster,
and livery stable operator. Gave building lots
to people who would build. Donated first
school site, Feb 26, 1878. Donated courthouse
block, and site of the Linkville cemetery.
Mrs. Dick Lane Owens, Regent -- Mrs. Paul Deller, Historian
Klamath Falls, OR -- April 1966
Historic Topic: Pioneer
Group Responsible for placement: Daughters of the American Revolution
Marker Type: City
Region: Central Oregon
County: Klamath
Web link to additional information: [Web Link]
State of Oregon Historical Marker "Beaver Board": Not listed
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