Southern Oregon Timber: The Kenneth Ford Family Legacy

Forestry defined the culture of southern Oregon. Kenneth and Hallie Ford rose from humble beginnings with a single sawmill during the Great Depression and helped transform the state's timber industry. They founded one of the largest privately owned wood-products companies in the country, bringing the title "Timber Capital of the Nation" to Roseburg, Oregon. Their legacy remains today through the Ford Family Foundation, dedicated to educational grants and community improvements. Author R.J. Guyer explores the evolution of logging and the challenges faced by the hearty men and women who plied this trade.

R.J. Guyer is the author of Douglas County Chronicles and a columnist for News-Review. He is passionate about history and is a member of the Douglas County Museum. He holds a bachelor's degree from Emporia State University in Kansas.