Streets of Gold

California Gold was not the only treasure fueling the rush to the west during the 1800s.  Oregon had a gold rush of her own with strikes in Southern Oregon (Jacksonville), near the Willamette Valley (Quartzville, twice) and many areas of the north eastern part of the state.  One of those areas was in the Elkhorn Mountains at the boom town of Sumpter

This huge dredge worked in the creeks throughout the area, drawing water as it made its own pond and tapping electrical power from a dam several miles upstream.

These huge buckets literally ripped up land by the ton and worked it through the sluice boxes and deposited the tailings out the back end.  The process went on for many years--until it no longer was profitable to mine gold this way. 

 

For years, the dredge lay half submerged in a lake of its own making.  A pile of stones it's legacy, it lay in disrepair until a group of dedicated folks raised her and restored what they could of the aging hulk.  If you look closely, you'll note the waterline from where she had sunk to the bottom.  

The Sumpter Dredge is now an Oregon State Park and tours are given each day during summer months.  The town of Sumpter, isn't much of its former self either, but there are a few shops and lodging is available.  Some of the older homes remain, but fire has destroyed many of the early structures.

Dispite her age, the Dredge--and Sumpter--are worth the trip.  Sumpter is located not far off State Highway 7 on the Sumpter Valley Highway (state highway 220) at the southern edge of the Elkhorn Mountains.  An interesting view is the satellite view of Sumpter on Google Maps.  From there you get a bird's-eye view of the dredging scars that remain on the valley to this day.

Check this out to see what an 80.4 OZ nugget looks like.

Thanks  for letting me do the driving.