Wolf Creek in Josephine County, Oregon — The American West (Northwest)
Early Traveler Accommodations
Long lines of mules, often driven by Mexican vaqueros, hauled freight over the hills of southern Oregon to the mining camps. In 1855 James Twogood and McDonough Harkness erected Leland Creek House at Grave Creek. "The table will always be furnished with the best the country affords, and the bar with the choicest liquors and cigars," they advertised. Henry Smith established a hostel at Wolf Creek in 1870 variously known as Six Bit House #2 or Wolf Creek House. In 1883, Smith constructed the Wolf Creek Tavern to serve local stage travelers and railroad passengers.
Wolf Creek Tavern is listed in the National Register of Historic Places. It is among the best preserved and oldest active travelers' inns in Oregon. The Pacific Highway under construction locally in 1914 and hard-surfaced in 1923, was located through the same nearby mountain pass traversed by earlier roads. Because of the highway and the interstate freeway which followed in the 1950s, Wolf Creek Tavern has remained in service virtually without interruption since its construction in 1883. The Inn was acquired by the State of Oregon in 1975 and restored to its original condition.
Erected by Applegate Trail Coalition.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Notable Buildings • Roads & Vehicles. In addition, it is included in the Applegate Trail series list.
Location. 42° 41.715′ N, 123° 23.745′ W. Marker is in Wolf Creek, Oregon, in Josephine County. Marker is on Old State Highway 99 South near Front Street, on the left when traveling north. The marker is located in a small park across from the Historic Wolf Creek Inn. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Wolf Creek OR 97497, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 5 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Feeble, Hungry, and Haggard (here, next to this marker); The Applegate Trail (a few steps from this marker); Wolf Creek Tavern (within shouting distance of this marker); City of Glendale (approx. 3.3 miles away); Golden (approx. 3.4 miles away); GOLD! (approx. 3.4 miles away); Grave Creek Ranch (approx. 4.2 miles away); a different marker also named The Applegate Trail (approx. 4.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Wolf Creek.
Credits. This page was last revised on February 28, 2018. It was originally submitted on February 28, 2018, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 216 times since then and 19 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on February 28, 2018, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.