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Deschutes National Forest
1001 SW Emkay Drive
Bend, OR   97702

(541) 383-5300

Ochoco National Forest
3160 N.E. 3rd Street
Prineville, OR   97754

(541) 416-6500

Crooked River National Grassland
813 S.W. Hwy. 97
Madras, OR   97741

(541) 475-9272

United States Department of Agriculture Forest Service.

About Us

History - 1910 to 1919

 

1910

  • Population of Bend - 536.
  • May 20, 1910 - Proclamation 1036 eliminated some lands from the Deschutes National Forest. (36 Stat. 2698)
  • September 21, 1910 - A.M. Drake protests damming of Crane Prairie because it would interfere with power production and log driving on lower river, also would flood meadows and farm land.

1911

  • June 14, 1911 - Single lane road from Bend to Crane Prairie improved (cleared of rocks) over three day period by small party of volunteers. Route passed Spring River springs, along Fall River, and Deschutes River.
  • June 30, 1911 - Proclamation 1148 eliminated some lands from the Deschutes National Forest and added lands east of the Cascade crest (from the Cascade and Oregon National Forests) to the Deschutes National Forest. (37 Stat. 1700)
  • The Paulina National Forest was established from lands of the Deschutes, Cascade, and Umpqua National Forests south of the Deschutes-Klamath, Lake County Line and east of the Cascade crest.
  • The Ochoco area was removed from the Deschutes to establish the Ochoco National Forest.
  • J. Roy Harvey becomes Supervisor of the Deschutes National Forest (1911 - 1912). Supervisor's office was established in Bend.
  • October 5, 1911 - Bend celebrates Railroad Day as the railroad from the Columbia River reaches Bend.

1912

  • Spring 1912 - A wagon road was blazed from La Pine to Paulina Lake.
  • August 28, 1912 - Following horseback trip through upper Deschutes country by Clyde McKay, fire warden, and U.S. Forest Supervisor Roy Harvey they proposed a road from Bend to Elk Lake and stated that "...the area when properly developed and exploited, will hold its own with any of the great parks as a drawing card for tourists and out-door lovers."
  • October 1912 - Rainbow trout fry hauled by wagon to Paulina Lake where they were put in live box which was towed across lake. They were then carried in 5 gallon kerosene cans across country to East Lake.
  • M.L. Merritt becomes Supervisor of the Deschutes National Forest (1912 - 1915)

1913

  • Deschutes Game Reservation Established (also known as the Paulina Refuge).
  • Summer 1913 - Road extended to East Lake and improved for auto travel. Dam proposed above Benham Falls.
  • First study of Benham Falls reservoir area begun.
  • September 10, 1913 - Forest Service and Crook County agreed to spend $1000 each on a road from Bend to Sparks Lake via Soda Springs. (Never Built)

1914

  • Benham Falls recommended for dam in 1914.
  • March 12, 1914 - Executive Order eliminated some lands from the Paulina National Forest. (E.O. 1899)
  • March 12, 1914 - Executive Order eliminated some lands from the Deschutes National Forest. (E.O. 1900)
  • September 1914 - Lava Butte "Erupts". Bend Chamber of Commerce simulates eruption to surprise visiting Portland Chamber group.

1915

  • Vernon Harpham becomes Supervisor of the Deschutes National Forest (1915 - 1916)
    July 19, 1915 - Proclamation 1303 transferred land from the Paulina National Forest to the Deschutes National Forest. (39 Stat. 1736)
  • Paulina National Forest was discontinued, lands within today's Crescent and Fort Rock Districts were transferred to the Deschutes National Forest.
  • Summer 1915 - First lookout constructed on Paulina Peak.
  • September 1915 - East Lake Health Resort consists of a small bath house and four cabins, but has plans for hotel. Water for bath house comes from hot springs along southeast shore of East Lake.

1916

  • W.G. Hastings becomes Supervisor of the Deschutes National Forest (1916 - 1917)
  • Logging town of Shevlin established in Lava Island Area.
  • Deschutes County established on third try. County seat at Bend.
  • March 23, 1916 - Shevlin-Hixon Mill in Bend begins operation.
  • April 22, 1916 - Brooks-Scanlon Mill in Bend begins operation.

1917

  • Norman G. Jacobson becomes Supervisor of the Deschutes National Forest (1917 - 1920)

1918

  • Proclamation 1502 eliminated some lands from the Deschutes National Forest (40 Stat. 1897)

1919

  • Summer Home sites established at Elk Lake, access from south.
  • Summer 1919 - Professor W.O. Crosby (geologist from M.I.T.) studies the Benham Falls reservoir area.
  • Skyline Road from Crater Lake to Mt. Hood proposed along Cascade Crest. The route this road would have followed became the Oregon Skyline Trail, much of which is now part of the Pacific Crest Trail.

 

 

USDA Forest Service - Deschutes & Ochoco National Forests
Last Modified: Thursday, 12 June 2003 at 11:52:09 EDT


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