Over a century ago, on May 27, 1887, a gang of horse thieves gunned down more than 30 Chinese gold miners on the Oregon side of the Snake River in Hells Canyon.

Born in 1872 in New Bedford, Massachusetts, Marie Equi grew up in a working-class immigrant family and labored in the town’s textile mills to help support the family. As a young woman, she self-studied her way into medical school and received her degree in 1903. But her life took a hard left into radical politics after she made her way to Oregon.

On October 28, 1947, a small plane crashed in rural southeast Oregon, killing the state's governor and other political leaders.

The Oregon Historical Society reports that it recently digitized more than 200 historical photographs of the state from the turn of the 20th century.

Oregon musician Johnnie Ray was once arguably the biggest pop star in the world. In the early 1950s, his unique sound, coupled with his emotional performances, thrilled audiences and helped usher in rock and roll.

In 1934, West Coast longshoremen fought, fell and ultimately triumphed together despite the odds. It was called the “The Big Strike.”

One hundred years ago, the Ku Klux Klan arrived in Oregon. Within months, thousands became members as it infiltrated communities and dominated politics.

One hundred years ago, members of notorious hate group the Ku Klux Klan staged a series of so-called "night riding" attacks in Southern Oregon.

In the spring of 1941, Woody Guthrie came to Portland for a one-month job. He was hired by the Bonneville Power Administration to write songs extolling the virtues of dams, irrigated land and federally subsidized hydropower. He ended up giving the government 26 songs in 30 days.

Portland's early waterfront has become the center for legendary stories of an illicit past. Some of those stories are even true.