Buster
Keaton is a pivotal figure in the life of the town where I live,
Cottage Grove, Oregon. In 1926 Buster came to Cottage Grove with a
crew of movie makers and it was here that the silent movie, "The
General" was filmed. At the Cottage Grove Museum where I
volunteer we have had a featured exhibit of photos taken by local
residents during the filming in 1926.
Our
Cottage Grove Genealogical Society also did an exhibit at the Cottage
Grove Community Center about Buster, his life and his ancestry. When
I read about his ancestry I recognized an early place name,
Pasquotank County, North Carolina. So I did more research and found
Buster and I apparently had no common ancestors. However, our
families certainly knew each other and we were connected by marriage
three times.
In 1753
his 4th great grand aunt Susanna Morris married my 5th great grand
uncle, Christopher Nicholson.
In 1762
his 4th great grand uncle John Morris married my 5th great grand
aunt, Mary Nicholson.
In 1768
his 4th great grand uncle Aaron Morris married my 5th great grand
aunt, Margaret Nicholson.
So you
might say we are related by marriage.
Wow! That's neat, Joanne. And wasn't the first film of the "Great Locomotive Race" (silent) filmed up the Row from Cottage Grove? I once read the engine that fell into the river from the burning bridge was still there decades later. The story's remake was done by Disney probably in the 1950s or 1960s. Do they still have the train excursions up the river?
ReplyDeleteHey Dave. The story of the General was in two films. The silent movie was titled "The General" and it was the one made in 1926 filmed in the Cottage Grove area. Many of the train scenes were up in the Row River Valley. The spectacular crash of the train into the river was up near Culp Creek. It remained in the river until WWII time. It was told from the Confederate viewpoint. When Disney made "The Great Locomotive Chase" later it was told from the Union side. The train tracks up the Row River Valley have been removed and we now have a Rails to Trails hiking and biking trail. Come and try it out sometime.
ReplyDelete