96-15CC Freight Wagon at Finn Rock Christmas CardThe first route across the Cascade Mountains was an old trail used by the Warm Springs Indians for travel to what is now known as the McKenzie Valley. Preeminent among the colorful characters of the pioneering era of the McKenzie Valley is B.F. (Huckleberry) Finn, or "Huck" Finn. The rock shown in this painting, originally called "Finn's" Rock, is now called Finn Rock.In 1863 gold was discovered and the Blue River Mines were opened. Miners and loggers depended on the freight wagons, like the one shown here, for supplies. Travel on the McKenzie Road probably became "heavy" as evidenced by the warning bells on the lead horse's collar. A desire to develop the McKenzie wagon road came with the discovery of gold around 1855 in Idaho. Credited with final success of the route are Felix Scott, Jr., John Cogswell, and John Templeton. In 1861, Scott, with wagons, cattle, and much hardship, finally reached eastern Oregon. In 1863, Eugene Skinner and 7 others formed a corporation for the purpose (as stated in their own handwriting), "…of opening, building, constructing and operating a Waggon Road with such bridges, ferries, ferryboats, toll houses and gates as may be necefsary (sic)…." This operated under the name "The MacKenzie River Waggon Road Company." The route was to extend from Eugene City to a point on the Deschutes River known as the "Ford" (Bend, Oregon). The present McKenzie Pass Highway through Lost Creek Canyon and over Dead Horse Hill, discovered in 1866 by John Latta, was about 1,000 feet lower in elevation than Scott's Pass. The private road companies were unable to make the road pay, so work was abandoned. In 1896 Lane County took over the section from Vida to Belknap Springs (including Finn Rock). In 1898 Lane County assumed control over the highway, then named "The McKenzie and Eastern Oregon Road." (Thanks to Mrs. Dave Burwell and the Lane County Museum for their help in supplying information for the painting and this story.) |
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