I've always wondered when the trail back to Tunnel Falls was constructed and, especially when the blasting behind the falls took place. Oregonian archives only had this early mention of the tunnel, which is from 1919.
Beautiful piece, pour over it for a few minutes. The bad scan was not my doing.
Tunnel Falls 1919 - when constructed?
Re: Tunnel Falls 1919 - when constructed?
Chase - Doesn't drawing no. 3 look like Twister Falls rather than Tunnel Falls to you?
Thanks for all this interesting historical information you have been posting!
Thanks for all this interesting historical information you have been posting!
Some people are really fit at eighty; thankfully I still have many years to get into shape…
Re: Tunnel Falls 1919 - when constructed?
I would agree that the picture is Twister Falls though the bottom right corner does list it as Tunnel Falls. However, the rest of the article (below) has a description of Tunnel Falls that cannot be mistaken for Twister Falls.
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Re: Tunnel Falls 1919 - when constructed?
Now if the old Oregonian called it "Twister Falls" then I would say that Tom has discovered a time machine
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Re: Tunnel Falls 1919 - when constructed?
Nice work 'paper' Chase!
Re: Tunnel Falls 1919 - when constructed?
The answer to my original question seems to be answered. A Sept. 2, 1917 Oregonian article mentions that the Eagle Creek trail to Chinidere was hiked by some Mazamas (although they went the other way from Herman Creek to Chinidere and ended at E.C.). They said the trail was "the new Eagle Creek trail, recently completed by the Forest Service."
Looking back at articles from early 1916 through the summer of 1917 there are several times the construction of the Eagle Creek trail are mentioned. Sounds like they only got 4 1/2 miles done in the summer of 1916 and completed the rest in 1917.
One can probably assume the Tunnel Falls portion was done in early summer 1917, though I cannot find any specific mention of it.
Looking back at articles from early 1916 through the summer of 1917 there are several times the construction of the Eagle Creek trail are mentioned. Sounds like they only got 4 1/2 miles done in the summer of 1916 and completed the rest in 1917.
One can probably assume the Tunnel Falls portion was done in early summer 1917, though I cannot find any specific mention of it.
Re: Tunnel Falls 1919 - when constructed?
I can't find any reference online, but I was sure that I read - either at the TH or near the caretaker's place - that it was blasted in 1908.
Karl
Back on the trail, again...
Back on the trail, again...
Re: Tunnel Falls 1919 - when constructed?
Possible, I guess, but I can't find any reference to any trail building, blasting or anything other than some fishing articles that mention Eagle Creek in 1908 (and I usually find what I'm looking for ). Possible that it was done and never reported in the news that year. There were no bridges in place at that time, so the blasting crews would have had to come over from the Wahtum area.kepPNW wrote:I can't find any reference online, but I was sure that I read - either at the TH or near the caretaker's place - that it was blasted in 1908.
I'm inclined to think that the blasting was done to build the old highway in 1908, which still was only a piecemeal road at that point in time. Odd that they'd take the energy and resources to blast out behind Tunnel Falls in 1908 when the only practical way to get near the trail was by railroad. Not ruling out the 1908 idea; I just need more evidence at this point in time.
Here are two articles from 1916 that have some details about the construction of the Eagle Creek trail.
Further reading (which I'm not going to post) includes mention of the trail not being completed in 1916 and that 1917 was the year of completion.
[I can't wait to get away from my computer tomorrow and back on the trails!]
Re: Tunnel Falls 1919 - when constructed?
Your sources sound more reliable than mine. Particularly since I can't even recall WTH it was! Heh...
Karl
Back on the trail, again...
Back on the trail, again...
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Re: Tunnel Falls 1919 - when constructed?
Excellent find, Chase! Somewhere, I've got Arnold postcard that confirms the 1916-17 window for trail construction. The forest camp at Eagle Creek was originally contructed at that time, in tandem with the Columbia River Highway. What makes this history confusing is the fact that the CCC substantially improved the campground in the 1930s, so it's a very unique hybrid of history.
Interesting to note in the article that a shelter existed jut above 4.5 mile bridge!
Thanks for posting!
Tom
Interesting to note in the article that a shelter existed jut above 4.5 mile bridge!
Thanks for posting!
Tom