Who was William Waldo? Or how the District got it's name.
The Town of Waldo A link to the Josephine Co. Historical Society's page about the origins of the town of Waldo. According to this article, "The first mining laws for the area were laid out at an April 1852 meeting of the miners. This meeting was held under two huge trees. The laws laid out that day were respected and used in the mining world that followed.", this was the actual beginning of the first legislative body in Oregon's history, the Waldo Mining District.
Platinum also found with gold in the Waldo. Link to an 1903 article about platinum mining in the Waldo District, from the JCHS.
History from 1850 and outline of recent events
Early Gold Mining History