The Sir Francis Drake Association is hosting its annual celebration commemorating Sir Francis Drake’s 1579 anchorage in Nehalem Bay from June 27 through August 2, aimed at bringing Oregon’s true colonial history to light. We started this nonprofit in 2008 to reveal Francis Drake’s true landing site in Oregon, not California,” said Garry Gitzen, president of the Association. “Our annual celebration and the banner highlight evidence from Jensen, Costaggini and our own research to set the historical record straight.”
Gitzen says: “He writes history so others can experience it” His book—Francis Drake in Nehalem Bay 1579, Setting the Historical Record Straight (2011) plays a leading role in the Oregon-based theory which has received strong praise from both local and international historians. A review in the Oregon Archaeological Society Newsletter called it “a magnificent compilation which should be in every important historical library”, noting its thorough research, compelling organization, and rare primary sources.
The Drake anchorage is highlighted by the 12 feet by 8 feet banner describing the survey Drake made in 1579 on Neahkahnie Mountain. It’s divided into 3 stages; anthropologist Wayne Jensen and Tillamook museum director, first theorized in 1971 that Francis Drake had made a survey on the iconic mountain marking the ‘so-called treasure rocks’; in 1982 Oregon State University Civil Engineering master’s candidate, Phil Costaggini, decided to do his thesis on the survey rocks; and finally in 2014 Gitzen uncovered a map drawn in 1599 drawn by the Queen’s cartographer Edward Wright. This is the only map to ever carry the Queen’s Privy seal during her reign.
Everyone is invited to drive by and view the informative banner of Oregon’s true history but please do not disturb the residents at 125 N. 1st St. in Wheeler.
Founded in 2008 as a nonprofit, the Association promotes rigorous, evidence-based history about Francis Drake’s 1579 voyage. Its flagship project includes Garry Gitzen’s book and annual community events in Nehalem Bay.
For further information contact: Garry Gitzen,
President Sir Francis Drake Association
Cell: 503 354 7668 leave a message or GGitzen@Nehalemtel.net
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