Fort Miner Point
From Oregon Hikers Field Guide
- Hikes to this destination:
- Otter Point to Rogue River Hike (TH | <— —> | LOG)
- Weather forecast: NWS/NOAA
- Maps: Oregon Hikers Maps Google Maps
- Latitude, Longitude: 42.43714, -124.43583
- Elevation: 0 feet
Description
This bend in Bailey Beach is near the location where local settlers underwent a 30-day siege in a driftwood bastion after 31 of their number had been killed in a battle with members of the Tututni tribe during the Rogue River Wars. The dead included Benjamin Wright, a notorious Indian fighter and special sub-agent of Indian Affairs at Port Orford. Settlers had built a series of rough forts in anticipation of attacks, and this was one of them. The Tututni were led by Enos, an Iroquois, who was later lynched by vigilantes.
A sign at a nearby field states: "Sheriff Riley and Dr. Holton and miners built a fort in the middle of this field. Drift logs were dragged by oxen from the beach. On Feb. 22, 1856, settlers were attending the Washington Birthday ball in Ellensburg. Fighting broke out between Indians and whites, and 23 whites were killed. Party goers rushed to the fort and were besieged for 30 days before being rescued."
More Links
- "Remembering the miner's fort" (Curry Coastal Pilot)
- "Digs will uncover history of Indian war on coast" (Mail Tribune)
- Battlefield Archaeologists Find Oregon Indian War Anything But Ancient History (NW News Network)
- Fort Miners (Southern Oregon History)
Contributors
- bobcat (creator)