Introduction | Sam Barlow 33

What is SB33?

Sam Barlow 33 Historical Society is an ECV® Outpost of an E Clampus Vitus® chapter in Southern Oregon known as Umpqua Joe 1859.

All ECV Chapters and Outposts have a name and number that ties in with the significance of the area we represent. We chose Sam Barlow because he is credited for finishing the Oregon Trail and the number 33 as it is refers to when Oregon became the 33rd state of the U.S. on February 14, 1859

What is ECV?

The Ancient and Honorable Order of E Clampus Vitus is a fraternal organization dedicated to preservation of heritage of the American West.

The first documented ECV lodge was founded in 1845 in Lewisport, Virginia, now known as West Union, West Virginia by Ephrem Bee in efforts to create a less exclusive group than the other organizations of the day. Currently as of the Clamp Year 6029 there are over 50 Chapters and Outposts located in California, Nevada, Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado, Utah, Washington, Idaho, Oregon, Montana, and Wyoming.

ECV Members call themselves "Clampers" and the motto of the Order, Credo Quia Absurdum, generally interpreted as meaning "I believe because it is absurd" represents our approach towards history and us Clampers are known to be fond of humorous and satirical approach to what we do as we celebrate history of the American West. ECV aims to preserve the memory of those pioneering days by building historical markers, monuments and folklore that celebrate each chapter’s local heritage. Our organization is often characterized by its sometimes absurd and playful approach to historical commemoration.

Our Fraternal organization with over 175 years of history and lore takes pride in accomplishing civic duties important to the community and builds brotherhood through camaraderie and mentorship.

ECV History In Oregon

The First ECV Chapter in Oregon

The first chapter in Oregon was documented in the Crescent City Herald newspaper proclaiming that "Officers were elected to the board on April 9th 1857 and that a great Clamper hall was being built in Althouse Oregon". Nothing remains of that great Clamper hall as the area it was built on was hydraulically mined multiple times since then and there have been forest fires that have destroyed any existing remains.

Umpqua Joe Chapter 1859

The second ECV Chapter in Oregon was formally Chartered on June 11th 2011 (Clamp Year 6016) in traditional Clamper fashion consisting of a 3 Day Grand Celebration commemorating the Wolf Creek Tavern. Umpqua Joe's territory comprises the Southwestern portion of Oregon's counties namely Curry, Coos, Josephine, Douglas, Jackson and Klamath. UJ 1859's namesake, Umpqua Joe was a member of the Grave Creek band of the Umpqua people who was known for warning settlers and miners in the Grants Pass area of an impending attack from local Indians in 1855.

Sam Barlow 33

SB33 is an ECV Outpost of Umpqua Joe that held their first meeting on May 15, 2021 at the Historic Trails End Saloon in Oregon City and was officially recognized as an ECV Outpost in May 2022 by ECV Grand Counicl. Since SB33's inception we have built relationships with local historical societies, museum and establishments and have conducted a wide range of events such as History Walks, Work Parties, Historical Off Road Tours and multiple Monument dedications with other ECV Chapters.

SB33's Mission & Vision

SB33 is a 501c3 nonprofit who's focus is to "Preserve & Celebrate" Pacific Northwest History. From the days or the Fur Trappers to Lewis and Clark's "Corps of Discovery" to the Great Migration of 1843 on the Oregon Trail and where Pioneer Sam Barlow in the winter of 1845 -1846 played his part by establishing a relatively safe overland route over Mt. Hood thus being credited as completing the Oregon Trail, and even modern history of the Historic Columbia River Highway completed in 1922 and recognized as the As the first planned scenic roadway in the United States. SB33 is proud to represent an area so rich in history and be able to tell the story.

How does SB33 Preserve History?

SB33 conducts work party events by providing support to other Historical Society, Cities, Organizations and People to help lighten the load of work needed in support of accomplishing goals focused on History and in some cases we will support events they may have in terms of providing support for organization, public communication and/or cooking for events.

How does SB33 Celebrate History?

Clampers celebrate by conducting events where we erect Monuments that tell the story of local history often steeped in lore and absurdum but also historically documented. SB33 also hosts events celebrating history such as historical tours, poker runs or participate in local parades.

SB33 Territory

SB33's territory encompasses the Northwestern Oregon Counties of Wasco, Hood River, Multnomah, Clackamas, Washington, Columbia & Clatsop situated on the Columbia River. We stake this claim as it best represents an area rich in history local to our members that has a story that needs to be told not only for the sake of our community but also providing a missing piece of the E. Clampus Vitus story!

Samuel K. Barlow's Legacy

Born December 4th 1794 in Nicholas County Kentucky and trained as a tailor but was not satisfied with life he decided to travel west and in 1818 moved to Bloomington Indiana where he married and started a family with 6 children.

In August 1827 Sam Barlow was convicted of manslaughter for killing George Matlock with an ax on October 16, 1826 and was sentenced to one year of hard labor. Scores of people, including the victim's brother, pleaded for Barlow's pardon and quashing of his sentence since he did it to prevent harm to his wife and children. Indiana Governor James B. Ray pardoned him on December 6, 1827.

In 1845, when he was 53, Barlow's family arrived in Oregon. His party of seven wagons joined Joel Palmer's group of 23 wagons and explored and, after considerable difficulty, blazed a wagon trail over the Cascade Range, arrived in Oregon City on Christmas night 1846. The trail he blazed became known as The Barlow Road and is credited as being the safest passage to the Willamette Valley and cemented his namesake into History.

In the summer of 1850 Barlow was appointed Justice of the Peace for Clackamas County by acting Governor Kintzing Prichette. Sam Barlow passed on July 15th 1867 at the age of 72 in Canemah, OR now known as Oregon City. He now rests beside his wife Susannah Lee Barlow in the Barlow Pioneer Cemetery in Barlow Oregon, the town named after him.