POSTPONED UNTIL MARCH 1 - Why was this Jewish Merchant buried outside the fence in TD?

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Written By Karl Vercouteren

This Tombstone lies outside the Pioneer Cemetery near Columbia Gorge Community College in The Dalles. But why? History forum speakers will dive into the wild tales of Joseph Brown. Photo by Sandy Bisset

By Karl Vercouteren

The Dalles, Ore., Feb. 14, 2025 — This gravestone above lies behind the Columbia Gorge Community College sign on the Scenic Drive curve at the college's entrance in The Dalles.  It lies outside the upper boundary of Pioneer Cemetery.

But why?

The person interred there, his life and times, and the reason for his burial in that location, are topics of the Saturday, Feb. 15 Regional History Forum at the Original Wasco County Courthouse.  

Local historians and genealogists Sandy Bisset and Georga Foster will present the program, Joseph Brown, Jewish Merchant:  Buried Outside the Fence. They will explore the incredible network of Jewish merchants that brought the trappings of civilization to the “wild west,” Brown’s part in that network, and his untimely death during a winter storm in 1862.

The program begins at 1:30 p.m. in the courtroom of the 1859 Courthouse, located at 410 W. 2nd Place, The Dalles.  

Earlier programs from this year’s series and some from prior years can be accessed via YouTube at "Original Wasco County Courthouse History Forums."  




Karl Vercouteren

Karl Vercouteren came to The Dalles in 1977 to become pastor of United Church of Christ Congregational. Early on he joined Cascade Singers and the Original Courthouse board, reflecting life-long interests in music and history. Since retirement in 2008 he has taken on several projects writing about local history.