Near Wolf Creek in Josephine County, Oregon — The American West (Northwest)
Canyon Creek
Oregon History
Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, September 21, 2017
1. Canyon Creek Marker
Inscription.
Canyon Creek. Oregon History. The narrow gorge of Canyon Creek has long served as a travel corridor. Native Americans likely trekked this canyon for thousands of years. Alexander McLeod of the Hudson's Bay Company provided the first written account of the route in 1829, while traveling from Fort Vancouver on the Columbia River to California's Central Valley. The U.S. Exploring Expedition, under Lt. George Emmons, followed the trail in 1841 making scientific observations. In 1846 this defile became part of the Applegate Trail, an effort by early emigrants to find an alternative to the treacherous Columbia River portion of the Oregon Trail. Prospectors and packers labored up the canyon en route to California's gold fields, beginning in 1848. Stagecoaches followed the rocky route in the 1870s, and today, Interstate 5 carries millions of vehicles over the steep pass.
The narrow gorge of Canyon Creek has long served as a travel corridor. Native Americans likely trekked this canyon for thousands of years. Alexander McLeod of the Hudson's Bay Company provided the first written account of the route in 1829, while traveling from Fort Vancouver on the Columbia River to California's Central Valley. The U.S. Exploring Expedition, under Lt. George Emmons, followed the trail in 1841 making scientific observations. In 1846 this defile became part of the Applegate Trail, an effort by early emigrants to find an alternative to the treacherous Columbia River portion of the Oregon Trail. Prospectors and packers labored up the canyon en route to California's gold fields, beginning in 1848. Stagecoaches followed the rocky route in the 1870s, and today, Interstate 5 carries millions of vehicles over the steep pass.
Location. 42° 53.898′ N, 123° 14.862′ W. Marker is near Wolf Creek, Oregon
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, in Josephine County. Marker is at the intersection of I-5 Frontage Road and Ritchie Road, on the right when traveling north on I-5 Frontage Road. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Wolf Creek OR 97497, United States of America. Touch for directions.
More about this marker. The marker is located on the Frontage Road at Interstate 5 Exit 95.
Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, September 21, 2017
2. Canyon Creek Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on January 17, 2018. It was originally submitted on January 17, 2018, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 234 times since then and 30 times this year. Photos:1, 2. submitted on January 17, 2018, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.
