Historical Markers and War Memorials in Klamath County, Oregon
Klamath Falls is the county seat for Klamath County
Adjacent to Klamath County, Oregon
Deschutes County(64) ► Douglas County(30) ► Jackson County(115) ► Lake County(38) ► Lane County(85) ► Modoc County, California(44) ► Siskiyou County, California(167) ►
Touch name on this list to highlight map location. Touch blue arrow, or on map, to go there.
Very near here, on a warm spring day in 1945, six people-a woman and five children-were killed by a Japanese "balloon bomb," or Fugo. The party had arrived for a picnic when they discovered the deflated balloon. While they gathered around the . . . — — Map (db m112533) HM
On Main Street at E Langell Valley Rd (Oregon Route 70), on the right when traveling north on Main Street.
Officially, Bonanza was founded July 11, 1873 when Ira P. Chandler homesteaded the site. Unofficially, Bonanza was founded sometime prior to the beginning of the Modoc War, when John S. Shook pre-empted the land east of Lost River, opposite Big . . . — — Map (db m112933) HM
From Bull-teams To Helicopters, From Misery Whips To Chainsaws And Tree Harvesting Machines, From Water-powered Circular Saws To Automatic Laser-guided Bandsaw Mills, Logging Was Oregon's First Industry And Remains One Of Our Most Important. At No . . . — — Map (db m100216) HM
Named for Abner Weed, Founder of Weed, CA
Twin cylinder Corliss steam engine supplied total power for Long-Bell Lumber Company's sawmilll, Weed. CA from 1917 thru 1964 (Long-Bell was acquired by International Paper). Seven boilers . . . — — Map (db m112526) HM
The Klamath Tribes consists of three groups of people: The Klamath, Modoc, and Yahooskin Band of Snake Indians. These three groups inhabited an area approximately 22,000,000 acres in northern California and Southern Oregon. The Klamath and Modoc . . . — — Map (db m112874) HM
Near U.S. 97 at Glendale Street, on the left when traveling south.
A Pacific Railroad survey party searching for a practicable route for a railroad to connect the Sacramento Valley with the Columbia River passed near this point bound north on August 20, 1855. Lieutenant R.S. Williamson headed the party with 2nd . . . — — Map (db m112508) HM
Near Rim Drive, on the right when traveling north.
About 6,800 years ago, at the climax of a series of dramatic eruptions, the top of Mt. Mazama collapsed. Left behind was the huge crater, or caldera, you see today. But before the caldera filled with water, there were more eruptions.
The . . . — — Map (db m63122) HM
Near Rim Drive, on the right when traveling north.
When Mt. Mazama collapsed about 6,800 years ago, it left behind evidences of its former self. Like X-ray photos the steep caldera walls reveal the interior of Mt. Mazama before its fall. From this point several pre-collapse volcanic features can be . . . — — Map (db m63119) HM
The collapsed volcano that now holds Crater Lake once stood more than a mile (1.6 km) above the present lake level. Called Mt. Mazama, this massive mountain of overlapping cones was high enough to support a cap of snow all year. During the Ice Age, . . . — — Map (db m62081) HM
On North Crater Lake Highway, on the right when traveling south.
The pumice deposits you are now standing on are the product of Mt. Mazama, an explosive volcano that collapsed to form the Crater Lake caldera. Mazama stood about 6 miles (9.7 km) south of here (to your left).
About 7,700 years ago Mt. Mazama . . . — — Map (db m63116) HM
On Volcanic Legacy Scenic Byway, aka Rim Drive near Pinnacles Road, on the right when traveling south.
Stories from the Klamath Indian tradition tell of the many battles here between Spirit chief Llao (of the below-world) and Skell (of the above-world). In one visit to the above-world, Llao fell in love with the chief's daughter. He promised . . . — — Map (db m157453) HM
Near Oregon Route 62, 0.1 miles west of County Route 623.
Fort Klamath
These 58 soldiers and associates were buried in this cemetery, including 22 casualties of the Modoc War. In 1890, after the fort was abandoned, the remains were exhumed and laid to rest at the Presidio in San Francisco.
Pvt. . . . — — Map (db m91782) HM WM
Established for the promotion of peaceful relationships between the Indians and
the early settlers by the Oregon Volunteer Calvary in 1863. The post was abandoned
by the United States Army in 1890. Now preserved
as a
Klamath County Park
for . . . — — Map (db m100288) HM
Welcome! Your Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife invites you to find out about what we do here to ensure the future of our state's fish resources.
A Brief History
1920s - the Oregon State Game Commission began raising trout in . . . — — Map (db m113208) HM
Built in part with lumber from abandoned
post at Fort Klamath. First pastor - Rev.
J. H. Roork. First board - Lisa and Alec
Wilson, David Hill and Seldon Kirk. — — Map (db m100279) HM
On Cloudcap Overlook near Volcanic Legacy Scenic Byway, aka Rim Drive, in the median.
Because of strong harsh, and nearly constant winds, many of the trees here are deformed and stunted. The almost never-ending pressure bends the trunks and branches so the grow away from the wind.
As the trunks thicken with age, they bury the curved . . . — — Map (db m157454) HM
On Green Springs Highway (Oregon Route 66 at milepost 44) at Toby Grade Road, on the right when traveling west on Green Springs Highway.
The first emigrant train over the "Southern Route," including more than fifty wagons under the leadership of Captain Levi Scott and David Goff, left the Oregon Trail at Fall Creek or Raft River, on the Snake River, August 10, 1846. The Klamath River . . . — — Map (db m88002) HM
On Green Springs Highway (Oregon Route 66), on the left when traveling west.
Large lakes, lush marshes, and verdant meadows of the Klamath Basin foretold the richness of the Oregon country. Watchful against cattle being stampeded by Indians, emigrants encountered mud, rain, a lack of grazing, and other unforeseen hardships. . . . — — Map (db m112865) HM
Formerly the halfway house, between Ashland and
Linkville (Klamath Falls). Henry Duncand first
owner 1871. Sold to Wm. S. Parker 1876.
Abandoned about 1915. — — Map (db m147734) HM
First known as Cook’s Logging Camp. "Old Blue",
Klamath County’s first railroad engine brought
here by horses from Klam[a]thon, 1893. — — Map (db m152414) HM
In 1846, Jesse Applegate and fourteen others from near Dallas, Oregon, established a trail south from the Willamette Valley and east to Fort Hall. This route offered emigrants an alternative to the perilous "last leg" of the Oregon Trail down the . . . — — Map (db m112867) HM
On an un-named dirt road south of Green Springs Highway (Oregon Route 66) when traveling south.
10 miles south of this monument, paths established along the south rim of the Klamath River Canyon by Shasta, Klamath, Pit and Modoc Indians were later followed by Hudson Bay trappers, the U.S. Army pack trains and in the early 1870's, supply . . . — — Map (db m147732) HM
Fifty acres were planted with two year old Ponderosa pine seedlings in the spring of 1960 after the area was scarified to remove brush. First commercial thinning Oct. 2005 3.7MBF/AC. — — Map (db m113804) HM
On Military Crossing Road (County Route 677) at Silver Lake Road (County Route 676), on the left when traveling north on Military Crossing Road.
You're standing on part of a wagon road built in the 1860s by the Oregon Central Military Road Company and the Willamette Valley and Cascade Mountain Wagon Road Company.
In the 1860s, the new state of Oregon needed better roads for commerce and . . . — — Map (db m157461) HM
On Silver Lake Road (County Route 676) near U.S. 97, on the right when traveling east.
Before Crater Lake existed, the massive 12,000-foot Mount Mazama filled the landscape to the west of Klamath Marsh. A "strata-volcano cluster," it had several different vents, instead of the more common one or two.
The mountain erupted 7,700 . . . — — Map (db m157460) HM
On Silver Lake Road (County Route 676) near U.S. 97, on the right when traveling east.
Before the railroad came to Klamath County, sawmills were built to provide milled lumber to be used locally. Due to the lack of roads and transportation equipment, most mills were built near water so logs could be floated to the mills.
The . . . — — Map (db m157457) HM
"To know the Oregon, California & Eastern Railway, one must imagine conditions in Oregon in the early 1900's." David F. Myrick, "Oregon, California & Eastern"
A century ago, the Klamath Basin held an inventory of nearly 35 billion . . . — — Map (db m112892) HM
At this narrow point where Lost River flows westerly toward Tule Lake, there is a conjunction of historical events. "Olene" in the Klamath (native American) language means "eddy place." For hundreds, perhaps thousands of years, this site was an . . . — — Map (db m112891) HM
Here John C. Fremont camped on his second journey of exploration in May of 1846, was attacked by Indians and lost three men for one of whom he named the stream — — Map (db m100269) HM
This Memorial is Dedicated to George Nurse
Accomplishments
1867 - 1869 - 1878
Opened First Trading Post
Built the Bridge Across Link River
Platted Town and Called it Linkville
Donated the Land For the First Cemetery
The First . . . — — Map (db m113635) HM
On Main Street near Klamath Avenue, on the right when traveling west.
Rafted lumber down Upper Klamath Lake and
built first buildings on this site, 1867.
Registered first official plat of town, 1878.
Was Linkville's first hotel keeper, postmaster,
and livery stable operator. Gave building lots
to people who . . . — — Map (db m113638) HM
On Klamath Falls-Malin Hwy (Oregon Route 39), on the right when traveling north.
Dedicated To The Memory
Of
James.O.Mckeehan Bob Cameron
Charles Semon Bob Hamilton
Lloyd Barnes Rollo Cheyne
Robert Bunnell
Who Gave Their Lives
In World War II — — Map (db m113258) WM
On Klamath Avenue, on the right when traveling east.
Agriculture
The Klamath Reclamation project began in 1906 with the draining of marshlands, which had been remnants of a prehistoric lake, to supply irrigation water to farmers. The main canal, called the “A Canal,” was first . . . — — Map (db m153545) HM
On South 5th Street, on the right when traveling south.
This building was erected in 1914 by the City of Klamath Falls with a $50,000 bond. Designed by Earl Veghte and constructed by the Cofer Brothers, the building housed all City departments; the basement housed a jail and heating plant, and the . . . — — Map (db m153530) HM
On Klamath Avenue at S 5th Street, on the right when traveling north on Klamath Avenue.
This building was erected in 1926 by the City of Klamath Falls. It replaced an earlier library, endowed by the Carnegie Foundation, built in 1913. Unfortunately the Carnegie Library was located too far from the center of the Klamath Falls . . . — — Map (db m153537) HM
On Klamath Avenue at Main Street on Klamath Avenue.
Locomotive #2579 is a typical example of over 350 small steam locomotives called “Consolidations” that were used by the Southern Pacific Railroad from the early 1900s well into the 1950s. During their time she and her sisters were . . . — — Map (db m99216) HM
On Crystal Springs / S Poe Valley Rd, on the right when traveling east.
Used by Indians; by Hudson's Bay trappers; by covered wagons; by Fremont 1846; by railroad survey party 1855; by soldiers at Fort Klamath. Site of the Modoc Indian conference in hope of averting war with that tribe; of the first water wheel; of the . . . — — Map (db m100223) HM
On North 6th Street, on the right when traveling north.
Established as a premiere apartment building,
the Marion opened its doors in 1928. The property is listed in Salem, Oregon with the state historical society. It was designed by a San Francisco based architect, and built by a contractor also from . . . — — Map (db m100263) HM
On Memorial Drive, on the right when traveling west.
Pioneer village founded in 1870. A rival town of Linkville and the first platted in Klamath County. Named after the merganser ducks on Klamath River. A bridge-crossing made it an important trade route. The town served as a settler defense rendezvous . . . — — Map (db m116786) HM
On Cross Rd near Klamath Falls-Malin Hwy (Oregon Route 39).
The Chapel of This Church
Was Erected by
The Henry Semon Family
In Memory Of
Charles H. Semon Bob Hamilton
Robert Bunnell Rollo B. Cheyne
Lloyd C. Barnes Robert Cameron
James O. Mckeehan
Schoolmates Who Gave . . . — — Map (db m113905) WM
Near Lakeshore Drive (Route 630), on the right when traveling west.
This is Oregon's largest body of water, about 90,000 acres. Indians inhabiting its shores ("People of the Lake") lived well on wild fowl, fish and wocus seeds. The first known white visitors (1825-26) were Hudson's Bay trappers under Tom McKay and . . . — — Map (db m100204) HM
Martin R. Frain born December 17, 1832 in New York, came west in 1850, arrived in Oregon Territory April 30, 1857 crossed Link river and camped under a ledge nearby. Established the first Trading Post at the present area of Payne Alley and Main . . . — — Map (db m100207) HM
Near Muson Valley Road, 7 miles north of Oregon Route 62.
He laid the foundation of the National Park Service, defining and establishing the policies under which its areas shall be developed and conserved unimpaired for future generations. There will never come an end to the good that he has done. — — Map (db m79277) HM
On Lakeshore Drive, on the right when traveling south.
The City of Klamath Falls in cooperation with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board, and Oregon Wild re-established a lake fringe wetland at Marina 1 in Moore Park in 2012. The purpose of the project is to lessen . . . — — Map (db m112876) HM
The town of Linkville was founded along the lower end of the Link River on March 12, 1867, by pioneer settler George Nurse. By July of 1869, this pioneer used timber to construct the first bridge linking one side of the river to the other. A steel . . . — — Map (db m112877) HM
In 1846, first crossed the Applegate Trail. The Southern Wagon Road and Topsy Road made original junction. An Indian Trail, at first; then the
Soldiers traversed these roads and in 1863, the Pony Express Trail was used to carry messages from Fort . . . — — Map (db m100225) HM
On Lakeshore Drive, on the right when traveling west.
This is Oregon's largest body of water, about 90,000 acres. Indians inhabiting its shores ("People of the Lake") lived well on wild fowl, fish and wocus seeds. The first known white visitors (1825-26) were Hudson's Bay trappers under Tom McKay and . . . — — Map (db m112525) HM
Originally built as a milkhouse straddling willow creek, this structure was located on the Van Brimmer Ranch, west of Tulelake, California, 13 miles from the Modoc Stronghold, Lava Beds. During the Modoc Indian War of 1872-73, the cabin was . . . — — Map (db m100265) HM
On North 6th Street, on the right when traveling south.
This building was erected as a residence in 1927 by then property owner Earl Whitlock. Mr. Whitlock, who moved to Klamath Falls in 1905, was a local mortician and the Klamath County Coroner from 1909-1932. H.E. Roskamp was the general contractor, . . . — — Map (db m100262) HM
The Applegate Trail crossed the present boundary of Oregon approximately three miles southeast of here and went around the northern end of the lake which covered much of the basin, passing close to where you are now standing. The route was opened in . . . — — Map (db m112699) HM
Honorable Lindsay Applegate, son of a Revolutionary soldier with Colonial ancestry, born in Kentucky, September 18, 1808. Explorer, soldier, Trailblazer. Came to the Oregon country 1843. An Oregon Patriot, served in provisional, territorial and . . . — — Map (db m112625) HM
On Malone Road, on the right when traveling south.
Capt. Jack’s winter camp was located approximately 1/4
mile east of here and was the site of the opening battle
of the Modoc War - Nov. 1872 — — Map (db m112936) HM
In 1846, Jesse Applegate and fourteen others from near Dallas, Oregon, established a trail south from the Willamette Valley and east to Fort Hall. This route offered emigrants an alternative to the perilous “last leg” of the Oregon . . . — — Map (db m112707) HM
On July Sixth 1846 fifteen pioneers who located the South Road from Fort Hale to the Willamette Valley crossed Lost River on the ledge underlying this dam.
In their memory this marker is placed by Eulalona Chapter Daughters of the American . . . — — Map (db m241971) HM
Site of original Crystal School established in 1893 by D. G. Brown. Developed as a recreational area by the Winema National Forest and Klamath County Park board. — — Map (db m100291) HM
Southern Route to Oregon
In 1846, Jesse Applegate and fourteen others from near Dallas, Oregon, established a trail south from the Willamette Valley and east to Fort Hall. This route offered emigrants an alternative to the perilous . . . — — Map (db m87946) HM
Four years after the end of the War of 1812, Great Britain and the United States agreed their citizens could trade in Oregon country without prejudice to either nation's claim. Both countries strived for that extra influence which could blossom into . . . — — Map (db m87953) HM
Five panels, one each for Spain, Great Britain, Russia, the United States and Mexico, outline each country's claim to the Oregon territory.
Spain
Vasco Nunez de Balboa first saw the Pacific Ocean in Sept. 1513. Until . . . — — Map (db m87958) HM
A party of 15 men, styled the South Road Expedition, as led by Capt. Levi Scott, Jesse Applegate, and David Goff, crossed the 42nd parallel on late July 4, 1846. It was blazing a road on which to lead Americans from harm, free of the impending war . . . — — Map (db m87945) HM
