Jim Tompkins is a sixth generation Oregon Pioneer and member of Sons and Daughters of Oregon Pioneers - qualifying seven times . His family background led him into a study of history and he earned a BS and MST from PSU. He taught junior high history for 27 years, as well as computer science. He also teaches Teacher Education Classes for PSU, and a class at Clackamas Community college about the Oregon Trail. He is currently on the staff of the University of Phoenix - Oregon Campus, teaching U.S. History.
Jim has been heavily involved in Oregon Trail research for many years, and has worked in several organizations promoting the preservation of the Trail. As a charter member of the End of the Oregon Trail Task Force, he chaired the group which produced a book of maps of the Barlow Road.
As a board member of the Oregon Trail Foundation, he has helped produce the exhibits narrative at the End of the Oregon Trail Interpretive Center (the big wagons) in Oregon City. He assists with their education program and contributes to their website: http://www.teleport.com/~eotic
The many requests at EOTIC about the infamous Laurel Hill led him to write "Discovering Laurel Hill and the Barlow Road," which may be accessed here under the link Barlow Rd. Another book "The Road to Oregon; Articles About the Oregon Trail", was published in 1993 by the Bureau of Land Management. Click on Stories.
Jim is currently working on an Oregon City Walking Tour Booklet for the Clackamas County Historical Society. Another project is assisting Nancy Prevost as a research assistant, to help her find as many of the 5000 1847 pioneers as possible and as much information about them as possible.
With the Northwest Chapter of the Oregon - California Trails Association he has been a tour guide at several conventions and presently serves on the board as editor of the newsletter NWOCTA UPDATE and Publications Director, Website Administrator and historical consultant.
Web Design by Tom Laidlaw at rutnut.com