Francis S. “Van” Landrum was a businessman and self-taught structural engineer/land surveyor in Klamath Falls, Oregon, as well as a noted amateur historian and author. He was born in Pendleton, Oregon, in 1924, and at the age of three his family moved to Klamath Falls, Oregon where he lived for the rest of his life. In 1953 Landrum founded Fremont Glass & Millwork, later Fremont Millwork, Inc., and continued to operate the family business until his retirement in 1985. Landrum was considered an expert on Klamath Basin history, especially the Modoc War of 1872-1873. He created an extensive collection of materials about the Modoc War as well as other topics related to the history of Oregon and the Pacific Northwest. He was one of the organizers of the 1988 Modoc War Symposium. Landrum was active in the Klamath Falls, Oregon community, serving as a founding Board member and President of the Shaw Historical Library Board, member of the Klamath County Museum Board, president of the Klamath Falls Rotary Club and chairing the Klamath County Roads Advisory Committee. He also served on the Oregon Geographic Names Board. Francis Landrum died on June 16, 2002.

Bristle Cone Pine describes three species of pine tree that are capable of living in harsh conditions. They thrive where other plants cannot grow, such as at high altitude arid regions.