Klamath Falls in Klamath County, Oregon — The American West (Northwest)

This Marks the Road to Topsy Grade

Photographed By Douglass Halvorsen, October 18, 2013

1. This Marks the Road to Topsy Grade Marker

Inscription. In 1846, first crossed the Applegate Trail. The Southern Wagon Road and Topsy Road made original junction. An Indian Trail, at first; then the Soldiers traversed these roads and in 1863, the Pony Express Trail was used to carry messages from Fort Klamath to nearest telegraph line at Henley, California.

Erected 1970 by Daughters of the American Colonists.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Roads & Vehicles. In addition, it is included in the Daughters of the American Colonists series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1846.

Location. 42° 13.712′ N, 121° 46.498′ W. Marker is in Klamath Falls, Oregon, in Klamath County. Marker is on Main Street. This marker is located outside in front of the Klamath County Museum. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1451 Main Street, Klamath Falls OR 97601, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Van Brimmer Cabin 1864-1928 (within shouting distance of this marker); George Nurse (approx. half a mile away); Marion Apartments (approx. half a mile away); Klamath Falls City Library (approx. half a mile away); Whitlock House (approx. half a mile away); Klamath Falls City Hall (approx.

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half a mile away); Locomotive 2579 (approx. 0.8 miles away); Veterans Memorial (approx. 0.9 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Klamath Falls.

More about this marker. This marker was originally located at these coordinates (north end of Topsy Road):

42.1352570
-122.029814

Regarding This Marks the Road to Topsy Grade. There is a placard near this marker that explains in more detail the history behind Topsy Grade Road and this marker and reads:

Topsy Road, the first good road into the Klamath Basin, was built in the 1870s (by H.C. Tichnor). The most difficult section, known as Topsy Grade, was chiseled from the southeast side of the Klamath River Canyon. Though narrow and steep, the road remained the primary route leading south from Klamath Falls for more than 30 years.

Stagecoaches and freight wagons plied the route daily until a railroad reached the Klamath Basin in 1908.

The Daughters of the American Colonists placed this historic marker near the north end of the Topsy Road in 1970, but later removed the marker after it was vandalized. The marker was put on display at this location in 2008,

Photographed By Douglass Halvorsen, October 18, 2013

2. This Marks the Road to Topsy Grade Marker

with funding from the DAC in memory of longtime member Isabelle Silver Porter (1906-2004).

Photographed By Douglass Halvorsen, October 18, 2013

3. This Marks the Road to Topsy Grade Marker

Photographed By Douglass Halvorsen, October 18, 2013

4. This Marks the Road to Topsy Grade Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on December 9, 2016. It was originally submitted on December 5, 2016, by Douglass Halvorsen of Klamath Falls, Oregon. This page has been viewed 367 times since then and 34 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on December 5, 2016, by Douglass Halvorsen of Klamath Falls, Oregon. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.