The Medford, Ore., poet and artist, Atlanta Parker Satchwell, was also a secretary of the Commercial Club and the Chamber of Commerce, leader of many civic organizations, and the local chapter of the League of Western Writers. For the 75th Jubilee of Oregon statehood, she wrote this “Anthem to Oregon” for the League. It is contained in her handwritten notebook of poetry now in possession of the Southern Oregon Historical Society. It was set to the tune of “Maryland My Maryland.”
“You ask what state I love the best.
Oregon my Oregon
The fairest land in all the West
Oregon my Oregon
From yonder mountains highest crest
To where old oceans’ billows rest
Oh fairest state than all the rest,
Oregon my Oregon
See yonder fields of waving green,
Oregon my Oregon
With peace and plenty in the train.
Oregon my Oregon
See how its wonderous valleys’ shine
From yonder sunset’s purpling line.
Oh happy state--oh state of mine.
Oregon my Oregon”
Oregon celebrates its 160th birthday today, Valentine’s Day.
Sources: Satchwell, Atlanta Parker. Unpublished notebook of handwritten poems. Southern Oregon Historical Society Archives MS 711; Post, Maude. "Oregon's Jubilee." Medford Mail Tribune, 13 Feb. 1934.