South Douglas County's largest city, was
first visited by settlers and gold seekers in the
1840's,and was originally plotted by 1893.
From its founding to the present day, the area's
greatest wealth has been its forests, which continue to
provide rich harvests. At the timber industry's height,
following World War lI, there were 278 mills operating
in the county. One of these mill, Umpqua Forest
Products, is now the site of Horse
Creek Bridge, in Millsite park, the center of
attractions in Myrtle Creek.
Another story of salvation for one of Oregon's covered
bridges can be found in this 105 ft. span which now
traverses Myrtle Creek at Millsite Park. I'll let the
citizens of the town of Myrtle Creek tell the story in
their own words. The following is from a legend posted
on the bridge at its reopening:
DEDICATION
"This reconstruction project is dedicated to those
individuals, civic organizations and corporations
that have donated materials, time and equipment to
make possible the renaissance of one of Oregon's
truly historic structures. Also to the citizens of
this community for displaying the support vital to
any such project. "
Creekside Memorial Park
, Myrtle Creeks newly completed
park, provides another place for people to picnic, play and enjoy
themself.
The spectacular Umpqua
River, with it's north and south
branches, provides the backdrop for one of Oregon's
most scenic drive tours - Highway 138 from Reedsport
to Roseburg to Diamond Lake. Whitewater rafting,
riverside trails for hiking, horseback and mountain
bike use, steelhead, salmon, and trout fishing, hot
springs, and many spectacular waterfalls can all be
found here.
The South Umpqua River
The South Umpqua, nourished by Castle Rock Fork and
other streams of the Cascades, winds its way through
the Umpqua Valley. This river is a lifeline for a
majority of the area's people, who live near it or
its many tributaries.
Much of Interstate 5 follows the South Umpqua. Two
of the reservoirs, Ben Irving on Berry Creek west of
Winston, and Galesville on Cow Creek east of Azalea,
offer outstanding recreational opportunities.
To dwell solely on the scenery of this area would be
to ignore the difference we humans have made. From
the Cow Creek Band of Umpqua Indians, whose
descendants have created a growing Gaming Center in
Canyonville, to today's newly arrived residents,
this area takes pride in linking its natural beauty
to its human heritage.
VISITOR ATTRACTIONS - VALLEYS OF THE UMPQUA
CANYONVILLE PIONEER-INDIAN MUSEUM (Interstate 5 Exit
98)
-Displays at the museum trace the history of the South
Umpqua Valley from the days of the Indians through the
arrival of the pioneers who were lured by the Donation
Land Claim Act and tales if mineral wealth.
APPLEGATE TRAIL (Interstate 5) - In 1846 Jesse and
Lindsay Applegate, Levi Scott, and 13 companions
explored a new route from the central Willamette
Valley through Douglas County, California, and
Nevada that connected with the California Trail. The
California Trail branched from the Oregon Trail at
Fort Hall, Idaho. By 1849, the Applegate Trail was
the main route of hopeful miners in the
ÒrushÓ for gold. Interstate 5 closely
parallels the Applegate Trail through much of
Douglas County including the route along Canyon
Creek.
GALESVILLE RESERVOIR (4 miles east of I-5 at Exit
88) - Offering a protected swimming area, fishing,
sailing and water skiing are favorites at the
reservoir. All facilities are free to the public.
(541) 440-4500.
McKAYS FORT SITE In the early 1820s Thomas McKay, a
Hudson's Bay Company trapper, and his men built a
"fort" at or near this site, and this was the first
reported non-native structure in what is now Douglas
County. Located at the confluence of Calapooya Creek
and the Umpqua River, there is a park and place now
commemorating the fort and its builders. (541)
440-4507.
AZALEA GENERAL STORE (Azalea) - This historical
building was the commercial and social center of the
upper Cow Creek Valley and was built for Thomas
Towne in 1915. The lower story has always been a
store. The upper was first a dance hall and then
divided into rooms for a hotel.
Cow Creek Historical Society. This is a place to learn about, and discuss, the history of the Cow Creek Valley and surrounding area including, but not limited to, Glendale, Azalea, the Cow Creek Canyon, Fortune Branch, Quines Creek, Wolf Creek and other local areas.
SOUTH UMPQUA FALLS - This beautiful fall is located
38 miles east of Canyonville on the South Umpqua
River. (541) 839-4258.
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