Editor's note: Morris and Lynn Walker are working to make "150 Years in the Heart of the Valley," a documentary film about Corvallis' first 150 years. Each Saturday, they share tidbits from Corvallis that they've uncovered during their work. You can contact the Walkers at heartofthevalley@yahoo.com.

The historical signs that you see in the downtown area are the result of the efforts of the Madison Avenue Task Force, inspired by Jim and Ruth Howland.

The Madison Avenue Task Force was formed in the early 1970s by Oregon State University, the Corvallis Chamber of Commerce and volunteers. It was headed by Jim Howland. In 1974, David Livingston became a part of the group, offering his graphic-design abilities and writing skills.

Ruth Howland would do the appropriate research and hand it over to David to create the graphics necessary to support the text and photos. David would also coordinate the production and installation of the signs.

The first sign was The Porter House sign, on Eighth Street and Madison Avenue, completed in 1982. In the years since, 16 of these signs have been installed along Madison. David is working on three more signs, and Patricia Benner has taken on seven more for the riverfront, one of which is in place.

Research and writing efforts have been aided by Mary Gallagher of the Benton County Historical Society and Larry Landis of the OSU Archives. Rebecca Landis has worked as a copy editor.

One of the features of these signs is the variety of interrelated stories included on a single sign. An example is the Van Buren Bridge sign, where historical research revealed that the November 1912 bond election for the bridge was the first time that women of Corvallis were allowed to vote. In fact, the first Corvallis woman to vote was Ida Hodes, whose home was located on First Street on the riverfront near the bridge.