Near Cascadia in Linn County, Oregon — The American West (Northwest)

Santiam Wagon Road

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, September 26, 2017

1. Santiam Wagon Road Marker

Inscription. The pass located east of here through the Cascade Range was once called Wiley Pass after Andrew Wiley. Wiley with other Willamette Valley Pioneers explored it in 1859 while searching for a route to move their livestock to the grasslands of central Oregon for summer grazing. In 1864 the Willamette Valley and Cascade Military Wagon Road Company was formed and submitted plans to the U.S. Government for a military road to be built along the route as far east as the mouth of the Malheur River. The land grant of 1966 included 681,512 acres for the road builder. Little road was ever constructed and much of the land reverted to the state in 1868. A wagon road was completed from the valley to near Sisters and became a toll road known as the Santiam Wagon Road.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Roads & Vehicles. In addition, it is included in the Oregon Beaver Boards series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1859.

Location. 44° 24.216′ N, 122° 22.79′ W. Marker is near Cascadia, Oregon, in Linn County. It is on Santiam Highway (U.S. 20) close to Gorton Road (Santiam Wagon Road)

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(Forest Road 2032), on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Cascadia OR 97329, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Oregon’s Willamette Valley.

It is also on the American Pacific Coast,

in the Pacific Northwest,

and in the Lewis & Clark Corridor.

Globally, it is in North America,

in the Cascade Range,

on the Ring of Fire,

in the Pacific Rim,

in the Western Hemisphere,

in the Western World,

and in the Anglosphere.

Other nearby markers. At least one other marker is within walking distance of this marker: America's First Transcontinental Automobile Race (here, next to this marker).

More about this marker. Santiam Wagon Road is on the opposite side of South Santiam River from the marker.

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, September 26, 2017

2. Santiam Wagon Road Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on December 14, 2024. It was originally submitted on February 3, 2018, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 523 times since then and 38 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on February 3, 2018, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.