Dayville in Grant County, Oregon — The American West (Northwest)

Shearing the Sheep

Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, August 10, 2020

1. Shearing the Sheep Marker

Captions: These images of shearing were taken at nearby Humphreys shed in 1977.; Note the padded belly strap, hooked overhead to make bending over easier.;, mechanical hand shears, a post 1946 product, optimal drove speed 2500 rpm; a wool bag stand used near Antone, Oregon, about 1900; old hand shears left an the Cant ranch.

Inscription. For most of the year, this platform sat empty and quiet. For two or three weeks in the spring, however, this small space bustled with bawling sheep, sweaty workmen, and grinding machinery.
Each of the ten workstations was supplied with sheep from the corresponding stall, which was filled with five or six sheep waiting their turn. A worker kept the stalls filled with sheep routed through the chute along the back. The sheared off wool, or fleece, was thrown onto the floor, where it was tied with paper twine and tossed into a tall bag on a stand.

When all went well, each worker could shear upward of 200 sheep per day, which translated into nearly two bands of sheep for the entire crew.

Erected by National Park Service.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Agriculture • Animals.

Location. 44° 33.373′ N, 119° 38.655′ W. Marker is in Dayville, Oregon, in Grant County. Marker can be reached from Route 19 near U.S. 26. Shearing Shed in north of the barn. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 32651 Oregon Highway 19, Dayville OR 97825, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Wool Bag Stand (a few steps from this marker); Haystacker (within shouting distance of this marker);

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Welcome to the John Day River (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); James Cant Ranch Historic District (about 300 feet away); Lifeblood of a Ranch (about 400 feet away); a different marker also named James Cant Ranch Historic District (about 400 feet away); On the Road of History (about 500 feet away); An Oregon Fossil Rush (approx. ¼ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Dayville.

Also see . . . Sheep Shearing. (Submitted on October 17, 2020, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.)

Shearing Shed and Shearing the Sheep Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, August 10, 2020

2. Shearing Shed and Shearing the Sheep Marker

The marker is at the back.
Note the line drive above.

Credits. This page was last revised on October 17, 2020. It was originally submitted on October 17, 2020, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 302 times since then and 52 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on October 17, 2020, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.