Near Bly in Lake County, Oregon — The American West (Northwest)
Mitchell Monument Shrapnel Tree
Pinus ponderosa
Photographed by Douglass Halvorsen, June 24, 2012
1. Mitchell Monument Shrapnel Tree Marker
When a Japanese balloon bomb exploded at this site, Elsie Mitchell and her Sunday school class of five children, out on an early spring fishing outing, were killed. They were the only World War II casualties to occur on the North American continent as a result of enemy action. Standing as a silent witness to the tragedy, this Ponderosa pine still shows signs of shrapnel damage from the explosion and from efforts to remove the shrapnel fragments.
Circumference: 6′ 3″
Approximate height: 125′
Approximate Age: 150 years
Oregon Heritage Tree
Erected 2005 by Heritage Tree Committee, Oregon Travel Information Council.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Horticulture & Forestry • War, World II. In addition, it is included in the Historic Trees series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1945.
Location. 42° 25.905′ N, 120° 51.602′ W. Marker is near Bly, Oregon, in Lake County. It can be reached from National Forest Development Road 348. Located 11 miles east of Bly, at Mitchell Recreation Area. Touch for map. Marker is in this
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in the High Desert and in Eastern Oregon. It is also in the American Mountain West and in the Lewis & Clark Corridor. Globally, it is in North America, the Pacific Rim, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere.
Other nearby markers. At least 3 other markers are within 10 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Mitchell Monument (a few steps from this marker); War Doesn't Discriminate (within shouting distance of this marker); Balloon Bomb (approx. 9.8 miles away).
More about this marker. The Mitchell Monument is located about 65 miles northeast of Klamath Falls. Mitchell Recreation Area is typically open from mid-May through the end of October. The site offers fishing, hiking, and wildlife viewing opportunities in addition to being an historic landmark.
As you are leaving Klamath Falls, take Highway 140 east for approximately 50 miles to the Bly Ranger District Office. From the office, continue 1½ miles east on Highway 140, then turn left on Campbell Road. After ½ mile, turn right
Photographed by Douglass Halvorsen, June 24, 2012
2. Shrapnel Tree Marker
Also see . . . Oregon Travel Experience - Mitchell Monument Shrapnel Tree. (Submitted on January 13, 2018, by Douglass Halvorsen of Klamath Falls, Oregon.)
Photographed by Douglass Halvorsen, June 24, 2012
3. Shrapnel Tree
Photographed by Douglass Halvorsen, June 24, 2012
4. Shrapnel Tree
Photographed by Douglass Halvorsen, June 24, 2012
5. Mitchell Recreation Area entrance
Credits. This page was last revised on February 25, 2026. It was originally submitted on January 13, 2018, by Douglass Halvorsen of Klamath Falls, Oregon. This page has been viewed 849 times since then and 48 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on January 13, 2018, by Douglass Halvorsen of Klamath Falls, Oregon. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
