UNION, OREGON__The next in the series of Third Tuesday events put on by the Union County Museum takes place Tuesday, July 18, beginning at 7 p.m. in The Little White Church on South Main Street, beside City Hall.
Ginny Mammen will present her research into the life of John Anthony, a colorful and influential man in La Grande during the late 19th century. Anthony was born in Switzerland, educated in culinary arts in France, and came to Union County in 1888. Many residents are familiar with the Anthony Buckley House (currently Mammen & Null Law office), at 1602 Sixth Street in La Grande, and the house next door, the John Anthony House, which some residents will remember was once the Centennial House Restaurant. Anthony built numerous other houses and commercial buildings in La Grande. He is also known as the founder of the community of Rondowa, at the confluence of the Grande Ronde and Wallowa rivers. Now just a bridge and a couple of small remote cabins, Rondowa was once a thriving logging community on the Joseph Branch railroad. Anthony was also a restaurateur and his daughter, Hilda Anthony, is remembered by some as a piano teacher. Fans of history are invited to come listen and learn about this historical figure and join in the conversation about his life and times in Union County.