Nora Mildred Martin, born in Portland, Oregon, on March 31, 1921, moved with her parents, Thomas Maurice and Cora Mildred Martin, to the small community of St. Helens about 1925 from the nearby community of Prescott. In April 1930, the family was living on Spring Street on DeSpain Hill. Nora's father was working as a lumber inspector and she and her siblings - Maurice, Howard and Louise - were attending school. The Martin family later lived in a home on present day Fisher Ln. in the McNulty area before returning to their home in St. Helens. Nora received her education at the John Gumm and McNulty Schools, and developed her singing talent early on while performing for PTA and Odd Fellows functions. Family friend Mrs. Clarence Kremer later recalled, "She sang beautifully, and was always willing to sing for us."

"Uncle Nate" Cohn, a talent scout for the KGW Radio children's show "Stars of Tomorrow," was visiting St. Helens for a performance early in 1936. During the show he met a young woman backstage who was dressed in a cowgirl outfit and boots. It wasn't long after learning that she could sing and yodel that she began performing on his radio show in Portland and moved into the city to work and attend Washington High School. The Martin family moved permanently to Portland by 1940, but locals wouldn't soon forget their "songbird," and she didn't forget where it was that she got her start.

Pals of the Golden West

Film Credits

Rovin' Tumbleweeds - 1939

Stage to Chino - 1940

Laugh Your Blues Away - 1942

Boss of Hangtown Mesa - 1942

The Silver Bullet - 1942

Hollywood Canteen - 1944

Nora Lou Martin - IMDB

"Nora Lou Martin Homecoming"

Nora Lou triumphantly returned to the "home grounds" for a quick visit in July 1944. Upon learning that she would be one of the featured stars at Portland's Independence Day bond show, acting St. Helens Mayor Jess Moore sent the following telegram to Mayor Earl Riley of Portland:

"Hold up all arrangements on reception of Nora Lou Martin and Eddie Cantor. Nora Lou is a St. Helens girl. Cantor incidental. We demand that this city have full honor of welcoming its own girl who is today a star of radio and screen. The arrival of Nora Lou is St. Helens' D-Day at the Columbia Airport. We warn you we will take over. We want Nora Lou. If Cantor is in the party we will welcome him. But Cantor without Nora Lou would be a catastrophe to any program. I ask you, what would Cantor have done without Ida? What would he have done without his daughters? And now what can he do without Nora Lou?"

The following reply from was received from Mayor Riley:

"I am for you 100 per cent. Inasmuch as St. Helens has been able to produce a girl as fine and great as Nora Lou Martin, St. Helens is entitled to take over at the airport. The job must be done in a big way, so we warn you that if you fail to do it up brown we will take over."

Nora Lou, accompanied by her parents and others, arrived at the airport late on the afternoon of July 2 sporting her new "reddish brown" hair color. She was greeted by a crowd of admirers, including representatives and friends from St. Helens. Mayor Simeral presented her with a boquet of St. Helens flowers, and Mr. and Mrs. Irving Rau presented her with an orchid on behalf of the Columbia County War Finance Committee. Also present were many photographers, who caught the friendly game of tug-of-war as the Portland and St. Helens mayors both claimed her as their own.

Two days after the big performance with Eddie Cantor in Portland's Multnomah Stadium, Nora made her way to St. Helens. Unfortunately things didn't go quite as planned, and the caravan had to stop several times after the fan belt on Mayor Riley's old Buick broke and the radiator spouted boiling water. They were met at the Columbia County line by city, county, and state officials, and together they made their way with police escort to downtown St. Helens.

It was estimated between 700-750 people gathered in the Courthouse Plaza on the evening of July 6, for a reception to welcome Nora home. Accompanying her was a troupe from KGW led by Homer Welch, including the Rutherford Sisters trio and a violinist. Nora Lou was introduced by Mayor Simeral, after which the group presented an hour-long program from the Courthouse steps, beginning at 7:30 pm. It was reported that the performers "presented a lively program of which Miss Martin's vocal numbers were highlights." She sang four popular numbers and also displayed her talent for yodeling. Irving T. Rau was introduced and gave a short talk in which he discussed the progress of the bond drive. Mayor Simeral presented Nora with a key to the city which was made of Fir-Tex, and then took it back to have her name put on. Meanwhile, Mayor Riley was waiting for his car to be repaired. At the conclusion of the program the group sang the National Anthem and the American flag was lowered from the pole in the center of the plaza.

Nora took time after the program to autograph bonds of $500 and $1,000 that were presented to her, and greeted many of her fans. Even though she hadn't set foot in St. Helens for years, she recognized many familiar faces and called dozens of her old friends by name.