Both brothers Earl and La Rue Morris loved to study the history of Oregon in general and, more specifically, Southern Oregon. As a result, they began in the 1950’s buying old machinery and buildings including Gold Hill’s General Store built in 1905. Other buildings were purchased and they eventually developed “Gold Gulch,” a replica frontier mining town. It was opened in June 1959 to coordinate with the Oregon Centennial Celebration.
They closed it on Labor Day of 1959 and then reopened it in 1980. Open during the summer months, La Rue and Earl loved conducting tours of Gold Gulch and demonstrating how to pan for gold. They both enjoyed telling stories about the local history and the gold rush.
Both Earl and La Rue truly valued the importance of a good education. As a result, in 1997, Earl created The Morris Family Foundation. The goal of the foundation is to provide scholarship money for local youth to attend vocational and technical schools in order to learn a trade and earn a viable wage.
Finally, La Rue and Earl loved driving their Cord and Lamborghini sports cars in the Central Point 4th of July Parade as well as other parades. They particularly loved driving the 1970 Cord because Earl had installed 8 trumpets under the hood. To the delight of the parade-goers the trumpets would play an ear-splitting rendition of the “Somewhere My Love”, the theme song from the movie Dr. Zhivago.
Earl Morris
Earl Morris was born in 1901 and grew up in Cicero, Illinois. During their early childhood, Earl and LaRue became best of friends and that bond lasted throughout their lives. In 1941, Earl and the family moved to Oregon. It was the start of a new beginning.
Earl was a proud employee of Pratt and Whitney Aircraft Company. He built and tested airplane engines during World War II. In fact, he even built the airplane engine that flew President Roosevelt!
Earl not only built and tested airplane engines, but he also built four Offenhauser race cars. He loved building cars, and even owned a 1971 Miuri Lamborghini. His favorite car was his 1970 Cord that he would often drive in local parades.
Earl was not only good with his hands, but smart with his mind and giving with his heart. In 1997, he founded the Morris Family Foundation. He cared deeply about the kids in the community and he wanted them to have an opportunity to education. It was his dream to see kids succeed.
Earl Morris passed away on May 12, 2005. He will forever be remembered as a caring and giving member of the community, and to his brother LaRue—the best friend a brother could have.
La Rue Morris AKA “Tiny”
LaRue was born in 1912 in Cicero, Illinois. He was the more social and outgoing of the two brothers. LaRue was a natural born athlete and loved all sports, especially football, basketball, boxing, and wrestling. He earned his varsity letter in each sport.
LaRue attended the University of Illinois where he played football, boxed, and wrestled. He was very hard working, talented and won many awards. He earned his nickname “Tiny” because of his size compared to his innate talent. In 1933, LaRue was a Golden Gloves Champion. He was a force to be reckoned with.
After college, he went to work for Western Electromotive. He delivered the first six locomotives to the Great Northern Railroad. Two years later, he moved to Oregon and lived on the 833 acre Hidden Valley Ranch with his parents and his brother Earl. They started many projects such as the Gold Gulch and took interest in new hobbies that enriched their lives.
In 1961, LaRue became a teacher and football coach at Scenic Middle School. He also trained boxers at the YMCA until 1976. He loved being around kids and teaching them new things. He wanted to see kids take advantage of their opportunities and live life to the fullest.
John and Lillian Morris — Their Parents
John Morris, a mining engineer, and his wife Lillian, lived in Illinois. He later became the police chief of Springfield, the state capital of Illinois. During this time he was fighting “gangsters,” and in one month he convicted 540 bootleggers! He was very passionate about his job and was well respected. John Morris also owned a restaurant with a garage in Springfield.
Mr. Morris promised his sons that one could go to college, and one could have the restaurant. Earl took the restaurant and garage while LaRue went to the University of Illinois. Earl was also able to attend two years of college studying auto and diesel mechanics. For the two brothers it was quite a big deal.
Lillian Morris was always doting on her boys and spent a lot of her time at the restaurant. Earl and LaRue loved her cooking and she even taught Earl how to cook. Little did Earl know how much the cooking lessons would pay off in the future. (When the brothers lived at the Hidden Valley Ranch, Earl did most of the cooking for LaRue and himself.)
Earl and LaRue Morris loved and respected their parents. John and Lillian Morris were big role models in their life. And their parents were nothing short of proud when it came to their sons, Earl and LaRue.