In Cottage Grove, Oregon, a woman strolls with her dog past a mural of Buster Keaton from his 1926 film, The General. Recently, the town welcomed fans to celebrate the film’s centennial with activities such as a conference, a lookalike contest, a 1920s costume party, and tours of filming locations.
The historical mood in the South post-Civil War led the silent film star Buster Keaton to head west. Seeking a setting for a film based on a real train chase during wartime, Keaton found Cottage Grove to be ideal, which resulted in his acclaimed film, The General. This weekend, about 80 Keaton enthusiasts gathered in this rural city to honor Keaton’s venture, which led to the creation of this classic piece. Amid discussions of favorite scenes and lessons in the Charleston, participants donned porkpie or straw hats while enjoying jazz from the band, The Fat Dandelions.
The conference featured attendees like Joy Blatchford, who danced with her son Aden Blatchford, and Katrina Nguyen, who danced with her husband Khoi Nguyen. Keaton memorabilia, like keyrings, adorned the venue.
Participants, affectionately referred to as “Damfinos,” echoing Keaton’s infamous phrase (“damned if I know”), celebrated in high spirits. Lloyd Williams, a key event organizer and former president of the Cottage Grove Historical Society, remarked on Cottage Grove’s unexpected national recognition among Keaton fans.
Among the fans, 21-year-old Chloe Fadem traveled from Chicago, delighting in her Keatonesque attire, complete with a rainbow bowtie, preparing for the evening’s Buster lookalike contest. Thirteen-year-old Aden Blatchford from Ontario, Canada, also dressed as Keaton, proudly maintaining a cosplay tradition for several Halloweens.
The lookalike contest crowned 37-year-old Liz Bartholomew from Portland as the winner. Dressed as “Sherlock Jr.,” she completed her attire with a fake mustache and a detective book. Bartholomew shared that her participation deepened her bond with her mother, a devoted Keaton fan.
Fans mingled with Keaton’s descendants like his granddaughter, Melissa Talmadge Cox, and his nephew, Harry Keaton Moore Jr. Talmadge Cox recounted her first exposure to her grandfather’s films as an emotional and enlightening experience. Keaton Moore Jr. shared memories of accompanying his uncle to film shoots when Keaton’s career resurged in the 1950s.
A bus tour led fans to various filming locations of The General, including where the infamous train crash took place. Keaton had initially faced rejection in the South but found Cottage Grove’s scenery perfect for the film, complete with a short line railroad that fit the Southern setting despite the actual location in Oregon. On July 23, 1926, a massive crowd gathered to witness the ambitious train crash scene, complete with carnival-like activities and retreats from regular business.
Visitors shared quiet reverence as they explored the historic site, comparing it to old movie stills. Young Aden Blatchford expressed awe at the reality of the location where Keaton executed one of his grandest scenes. Chloe Fadem, also inspired, absorbed the atmosphere’s authenticity and vowed to integrate elements of Keaton’s dedication into her own film projects.
Looking forward, the International Buster Keaton Society Convention in Muskegon, Michigan, is set for October, closely marking what would be Keaton’s 131st birthday.
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