Silverton's famous son, Homer Davenport, was an internationally renowned cartoonist in the late 19th and early 20th Centuries.

He was born in the Waldo Hills region south of Silverton on March 8, 1867. He was raised on GeerCrest Farm, his mother's family's homestead. The Davenports and the Geers had been living in the area since the pioneer settlement days. Homer, however, left Silverton to make his way in the world, fulfilling his desire to become an editorial cartoonist... inspired by his mother's appreciation for the art form.

From Oregon, he headed to San Francisco where he worked his way up as a newspaper artist for William Randolph Hearst's syndicate.

Davenport followed in the footsteps of the pioneering political cartoonist Thomas Nast. As noted in Davenport's obituary, the Silverton native "did for San Francisco what Thomas Nast did for New York," helping bring down corrupt political bosses.

Later, Davenport transferred to New York himself, taking on the political establishment. His cartoons frequently focused on the tobacco and oil trusts taking advantage of Uncle Sam and the average man. His drawings' bite struck a chord with the public and dismay with his opponents. Such opposition came in the form of Senator Thomas Platt of New York who proposed an "Anti-Cartoon Bill." The bill did not move forward, perhaps due in no small part to Davenport's own retaliation: "No Honest Man Need Fear Cartoons."

Homer's work also had a profound effect on the direction of America's highest office. His cartoon depicting Uncle Sam and Theodore Roosevelt ("He's Good Enough For Me") has been assessed as one of the determining factors of Roosevelt's election as president.

It was Roosevelt who pulled strings to allow Homer Davenport to travel across the world to pursue his interest in Arabian Horses. Davenport's "quest" to the lands of the Bedouin Tribe (in what is now Syria) has been fruitful for the entire American horse community... Many Arabian Horses in the United States are descended from the 27 he was "gifted" in 1906 by the Bedouin leaders he befriended. His horses were kept at his farm in Morris Plains, New Jersey.

Homer Davenport authored several successful books, including a collection of his cartoons in 1898. My Quest of the Arab Horse (1909) profiled his journey to the desert. The Country Boy (1910) detailed his life growing up in Silverton.

Tragically, Davenport died at the age of 45 to pneumonia. In 1912, he died three days after drawing a cartoon about the sinking of the Titanic. His headstone is located in the Silverton Cemetery.

His legacy, however, endures. Homer Davenport Days began in Silverton in 1980. Every year, the celebrations have kept Silverton's young and old in high spirits. The Cartoon Contest held at the festival began a few years later, and has a routine helping of cartoons from all over this planet.

Davenport's presence can also be seen on view in the Silverton Country Museum. The Silverton Mural Society maintains two Davenport-related masterpieces on the walls of Silverton, both by local artists: a biographical mural by David McDonald (First St., near Lewis St.) and the Davenport's Arabian Quest centennial mural by Lori L. Webb (Water St. on the historic Wolf Building).

The newly developed GeerCrest Foundation, has an aim in preserving the local history of Waldo Hills, and Homer is an important part of the archival collection on the GeerCrest site. The highly well regarded Davenport Arabian Horse bloodline is continually promoted by Davenport Arabian Horse Conservancy and (in Oregon) by Central Pacific Al Khamsa.

In 2006, Silvertonian Gus Frederick wrote Cartoons By Homer C. Davenport,
published by Heron Graphics. A second edition is in the works.

By continuing public awareness of Homer Davenport's craft and creativity,
a piece of unique American culture is kept alive for future generations to learn from.




The charming town of Silverton was founded in 1854 in the Willamette Valley. The Molala and Kalapuya Tribes lived in the region prior to the pioneers' arrival. The surrounding region became known by the settlers as the Silverton Country, a vast expanse which includes several other small communities, including Mt. Angel and Scotts Mills. Majestic landmarks in the region take their names from the tribes and settlers: the Lone Tree Butte, Silver Creek, Abiqua Creek, Crooked Finger Road, Pudding River, Waldo Hills, and Howell's Prairie.

A milling boom in the early 20th Century helped solidify Silverton's prominence in the Valley, and it has matured into a community conscious of its past and optimistic of its future.

Silverton is conveniently located near Oregon's largest cities. It is 15 miles NE from our capital city Salem, and 45 miles South from Portland.

The historical and cultural aspects of Silverton are bound to entertain travelers of all ages. There are many art galleries, antique shops, restaurants, and other attractions to keep you busy. Silverton is known as the gateway to the Silver Falls State Park (the largest state park in Oregon). It is also home to The Oregon Garden.

Homer Davenport Days isn't the only major festival held in Silverton. The HDD board also hosts the Silverton Hills Strawberry Festival every Father's Day weekend.

Just two weeks after Homer Days, Coolidge-McClaine Park bustles again with the Silverton Fine Arts Festival. Meanwhile, many events occur at The Oregon Garden throughout the year. Silverton's neighboring city, Mt. Angel hosts the Oktoberfest celebrations every September.

As a community, Silverton has a successful education system serving the city's youth and its neighboring townships. The Silverton Hospital recently ranked within the top 100 hospitals in the entire country. The downtown corridor is regularly alive with homegrown businesses unique to Silverton.

There is also a bustling current of art and culture, including a collection of murals scattered throughout the town – often depicting a particular aspect of Silverton's history. See if you can find them all!

The whole of Silverton Country is a wonderful place to visit, at any time of the year.