Stories from the Heart of the Siskiyou Mountains

Cave Junction, Oregon

Stories are grouped into time blocks to make it easier for readers to find content that is of most interest to them.

1850s - Oregon's Gold Rush Years

Oregon's First Gold Discoveries: Two discoveries of gold in Illinois Valley started the Oregon gold rush...
Cold Springs Mountain Pack Trail: The Oregon gold rush lifeline to the coast...
The Salt Famine of 1852: A heavy snow left miners isolated with few supplies.
Hydraulic Mining: Miners use giant nozzles to wash away the mountain sides in search of gold...
Spanish Artifacts: Did the Spanish come to Oregon before early American settlers....
Stagecoach to the sea: Stage travel on southern Oregon first road to the sea...
Freight Wagons: Look ma, no hands...
Masonic Lodge: The Kerbyville Lodge is one of the first to be established in Oregon...
Chinese Miners: What people remember about Chinese gold miners in the Heart of the Siskiyous...
Kerbyville: Southern Oregon's Christmas Eve town...
Oregon's Largest Gold Nugget: Althouse Creek, 1859....

1860s - Civil War Years

Agnes Sawyer Maple Tree: A tree planted in 1861 brings us fall color a 150 years later.

1870s -

Earthquake in the Siskiyous: Oregon's largest recorded earthquake...
Oregon Caves Historic Trails: The history of trails to Oregon Caves...

1880s

Chrome Mines: At one time the Siskiyou Mountains was the nation's leading producer of chrome...

1890s -

Tractor Trains: A new form of transportation hisses and chugs onto Siskiyou Mountain roads...
Althouse Church: Built in 1893, this building is now one of the oldest in the Siskiyou Mountains...

1900 - The Progressive Movement

Grange Halls: The center of social activity for most Oregon rural communities...
Wounded Buck Mine: An 18 year old boy stumbles on a rich vein of gold ore...

1910s - World War I

Jitney to the Sea: The auto stage replaces the horse drawn stagecoach...
Siskiyou Nature Man: He walked naked into the woods on a two month publicity stunt...

1920s

Cavemen: A zany promotional stunt that worked better than anyone thought it would....
Garden Club: A determined group of small town women preserve a nationally unique botanical area...

1930s - The Depression Years

Camp Oregon Caves: At one time 200 boys worked at this Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) camp...
View Master: A toy with its roots in the Siskiyou Mountains...
Gold Canyon Pony Ranch: A working ranch for troubled youth...

1940s - World War II

Siskiyou Smokejumpers: Smokejumpers played an important role in homeland defense...

1950s - The Cold War

Sky Watch: Volunteers in Illinois Valley watch for a nuclear attack while the nation slept...

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Disclaimer: All information in Highway199.org is accurate to the best knowledge of the author. However, conditions in outdoor settings can change dramatically after storms or fires. For this reason, travelers are advised to check current road conditions before traveling through the area, drive responsibly and take measures to understand safety issues in the region. When participating in outdoor activities, always plan and prepare for safe hiking, swimming or any other activities mentioned in the Highway 199 website. More on disclaimer and copyright...