Don Oehler oral history interview (transcript)
Mr. Oehler describes his background growing up in Portland, Oregon, and Grand Forks, North Dakota. At the Bellingham mill, he worked as a project engineer for the technical group, start-up engineer for the chlorine plant, and then paperboard operation manager. He talks in detail about the pulping process, explaining how byproducts like multi-tracin could be used in other industries. He also points out the company's great financial contribution to Bellingham, but suggests that the community's attitude toward the mill changed over time as a result of industrial pollution and new environmental legislation. Mr. Oehler describes union activity, labor negotiations, and strikes at the mill. He talks about the global market today, pointing out how technology changed all industry throughout the world. He expresses his feelings regarding the mill's closure, his thoughts about the potential for young people to find meaningful employment in this area, and his hopes for the future of Bellingham's waterfront.
Object Details
Creators/Contributors
- Oehler, Don - Interviewee
- Down, Kelsey - Interviewer
Collection
collections Waterfront Oral History Project
Date Created
May 4th, 2006
Publisher
Digital object made available by the Center for Pacific Northwest Studies, Western Libraries Archives & Special Collections, Western Washington University.
Physical location
- WaBeCP
- Western Washington University
Repository
Resource type
Related to
Waterfront Oral History Project records
Access conditions
-
This resource is subject to U.S. and international copyright laws, and is displayed for educational purposes only. For more information about rights or obtaining copies of this resource, please contact the Center for Pacific Northwest Studies, Western Libraries Archives & Special Collections, Western Washington University, Bellingham, WA 98225-9103, USA (360-650-7534; cpnws@wwu.edu) and refer to the collection name and identifier. Any materials cited must be attributed to the Waterfront Oral History Project Records, Center for Pacific Northwest Studies, Western Libraries Archives & Special Collections, Western Washington University.
Identifier
wohp_oehler20060504