McKenzie River Bicentennial

04/04/2026

Here's a McKenzie River history mystery.

Where was this store, (hint - it's still there), and who is that happy storekeeper?

02/16/2026

https://www.facebook.com/share/17Zyk5HeuX/

01/11/2026

This photo used to be on the wall in the restaurant in Walterville. (Aunt Ding's, Riverstop, Lucky Logger). It included a caption with the names of the people. Does anybody have a copy, or know the names?

12/20/2025

How have peak flows changed on the McKenzie River over the years? This graph shows the highest peak flow each year. Notice the change after Cougar and Blue River Reservoirs were built for flood control. (How has the river changed with the dams and the lower peak flows?) For comparison, today it peaked at Vida around 20,000 cubic feet/ second.

12/19/2025

In the flood event of December 1964 several houses on North Bank Rd fell into the river and debris jammed against the highway bridge. The river diverted down the highway, surrounding the Lauer's store and the McKenzie Bridge Church. These photos were taken after the water subsided.

12/19/2025

https://www.facebook.com/share/1BuvyBhuQf/

Because we are thinking about stormy weather today, we are featuring a photo that was taken during 1890 flood. It is a view of Eugene, looking east toward Willamette River. The Ferry Street covered bridge at center has north approach ramp has washed away and water inundates valley toward Coburg Hills in the distance. The Reservoir on Skinner Butte is in foreground.

Stay safe everyone!

11/16/2025

No doubt you will find something interesting here.

Your local history, now available ANYWHERE! You can now search the Springfield History Museum's entire photograph catalog, over 5,000 historic images of Springfield and rural east Lane County, from anywhere in the world! We are adding to this database continuously, so keep checking back for new stories to learn. Check out the catalog at https://wheremindsgrow.org/history_museum/online_catalog and start your own historical journey!

This project was made possible by the Springfield Public Library Foundation and in part by the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) through the Library Services and Technology Act, administered by the State Library of Oregon.

11/16/2025

This should be a great event. Jay Swofford has deep family roots in the lower McKenzie River area.

The Springfield History Museum staff welcomes McKenzie River history!

No tickets necessary for this program. Free entry. Doors open at 6pm, and program starts at 6:30pm.

It's time for the next History Night @ The Wildish! Join local historian Jay Swofford for a harrowing tale out of local history. On the night of September 24, 1910, a raging fire swept through the Mohawk valley. While Marcola and Mabel were eventually saved, nearly the entire residential section of Wendling, a Booth-Kelly mill town, burned to the ground. Come hear the resident's tales of courage, endurance and resiliency.

Join us for this free History Night celebrating local history, at the historic Richard E. Wildish Community Theater! This event was made possible through the support of the Springfield Public Library Foundation and the Lane County Cultural Coalition.

06/26/2025

The O'Brien Memorial Library is putting together a display of photographs that tell the history of Blue River. Do you have a favorite photo of people at the stores, cafes, gas stations, taverns, parades, school, McKenzie Track, Blue River Park, the Clinic or more? If you could choose just one photo from the 1940s to 2019 what would it be?

06/20/2025

In recognition of the Solstice Arts Festival at the Community Track this weekend, I changed the cover photo of this McKenzie Bicentennial page to show the sawmill which was at that site between 1951 and 1966. A shout-out goes to all the volunteers who worked to make the site what it is today.

06/20/2025

When you are coming or going to the McKenzie Solstice Arts Festival tomorrow, (June 21st) stop by the O'Brien Memorial Library, to see slide shows and movies about McKenzie River History. Here's the schedule!

- 11 am to 12:30: How Blue River Grew - Learn about the gold mining, dam building, timber harvesting, and tourism that helped the town of Blue River grow. This was shown at the Library on May 17th, and is back by popular demand!)

- 1 to 2 pm. - Fords, Ferries, and Bridges of the McKenzie River. - More historic photos that tell the story of our river crossings.
- 2 to 2:30 pm. - Schools of the McKenzie River before they were consolidated in 1942.
- 2: 30 to 3 pm - Lodges of the McKenzie River - can you name over 30 of them?
- 3 to 4 pm. Trails, Maps, and Lookouts - alot of ground to cover.
- 4 to 5 pm. "Oregon's Boat" - The McKenzie River Drift Boat - movie produced by Randy Dersham, who will be there to answer questions. This film has was released last year and already won several awards for documentary films.

The Library is at 51771 Blue River Drive. Donations will be accepted to pay for the Library Room, and for the Community Track fundraising.

And on Sunday (June 22nd) stop by the Local History Booth at the McKenzie River Solstice Arts Festival. You will find it near the Food Court, so grab a bite, and sit down to trade stories about the "old days". It is all informal and informational.

Celebrate the longest days of summer at the McKenzie River Solstice Arts Festival, June 21-22 at the McKenzie Community Track and Field! This vibrant event kicks off summer in the McKenzie River Valley with: Art, Chainsaw Art, Music, Food, Games, Beer Garden, Auction & Raffles.

05/10/2025

The next McKenzie River History Gathering will be held next Wednesday, May 14th between 2 and 4 pm, at the Upper McKenzie Community Center. (54745 McKenzie River Drive, near Belknap Covered Bridge.)

We will be talking about Lodges. Hotel, and Motels. So far we have a list of over 35 that have existed between Cedar Flats and the Santiam Pass! We will run through the photos of most of them and take notes on the "special events" that you identify with them. As always - if you have some photos, brochures etc from these places, please bring them to share.

We look forward to seeing you at this informal gathering.

Margaret Beilharz and Shelly Pruitt