Bly in Lake County, Oregon — The American West (Northwest)

Mitchell Monument Shrapnel Tree

Photographed By Douglass Halvorsen, June 24, 2012

1. Mitchell Monument Shrapnel Tree Marker

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

Pinus ponderosa

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.

Approx. height: 125′
Age: Approx 150 years
Circumference: 6′ 3″
Crown: 15′

OREGON HERITAGE TREE

Erected 2006 by Oregon Travel Experience.

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 in Bly, Oregon, in Lake County. Marker can be reached from

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National Forest Development Road 348 (Forest Road 348). The Mitchell Monument is located about 65 miles North-East of Klamath Falls. The 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 (also known as the Klamath Falls-Lakeview Highway) for approximately 50 miles, to the Bly Ranger District Office. From the office, proceed 1 1/2 miles east on Highway 140, turn left on County Road 1259. Take County Road 1259 for 1/2 mile, then turn right on Forest Road 34. Follow Forest Road 34 for approximately 8 miles. The day use area entrance sign is located on the right. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Bly OR 97622, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 2 other markers are within 10 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Mitchell Monument (a few steps from this marker); Balloon Bomb (approx. 9.8 miles away).

More about this marker. Marker and tree are located within the Mitchell Monument State Park.

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

2. Mitchell Monument Shrapnel Tree Marker

Mitchell Monument Shrapnel Tree image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Douglass Halvorsen, June 24, 2012

3. Mitchell Monument Shrapnel Tree

Photographed By Douglass Halvorsen, June 24, 2012

4. Mitchell Monument Shrapnel Tree

Mitchell Monument Recreation Area entrance image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Douglass Halvorsen, June 24, 2012

5. Mitchell Monument Recreation Area entrance

Credits. This page was last revised on January 16, 2018. It was originally submitted on January 13, 2018, by Douglass Halvorsen of Klamath Falls, Oregon. This page has been viewed 218 times since then and 54 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.