Patrick and Jane Hughes' strong support of education and religion helped their children and community flourish.
John Hughes
The third Hughes son, John, studied in the east for the priesthood and was ordained in 1895.
He was remembered fondly for telling stories of his happy childhood on the ranch.
Oregon's pioneers had to build or make almost everything they needed,
including schools and churches.
Like many in the area, Patrick and Jane were devout Roman Catholics, and the church they built for traveling priests was a cornerstone of their growing community.
They hired Pehr Johan Lindberg, who would also build the Hughes' new house, to build the church. They called it
Mary, Star of the Sea.
After Jane Hughes' funeral in 1923, the church was seldom used and fell into disrepair.
Good ol' Golden Rule days
This area had no schools for pioneer children in the 1860s and 70s.
The eldest Hughes son, Edward, was sent to Vancouver, Washington for a formal education.
Upon his return, he taught his younger siblings the 3Rs: reading, 'riting, and 'rithmetic.
In 1881, the Hughes built a small school for children of the area, affectionately known as "Cape Blanco University." Teachers were
paid $35 to $50 dollars per month, plus room and board.
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