Continuing on US 26 to Prairie City, OR....too late I saw the sign for huckleberry ice cream.
At Dixie Pass (5277 ft) there is another Interpretive Site about the Sumpter Valley Railroad.
Thistle and I walked the trail to learn more about what happened here.
There is a nice big parking area with RV parking spaces.
The map of the trail.
I learned that some creative engineering was necessary to get the logging trains down the steep grade of the mountain to Prairie City from here.
A series of switchbacks was built to accomplish the feat. One set of switchbacks has been created to demonstrate the process.
Looking down at the switchback.
Some rusty machinery was left when the railroad closed...not sure what it did, but most likely was used in the process.
This diagram shows how the switchbacks worked.
Forward, backward, forward again down the mountain.
You can get a glimpse of the Strawberry Mountains and John Day Valley from the summit.
Passengers did not have to ride the train down the switchbacks. A stagecoach or touring car met the train at Dixie Pass and passengers disembarked.
This is our route into the valley, and our view opens up.
Another photo op ahead.
This is the view from the covered wagon.
Travelers on the Oregon Trail came through here, but I bet their wagons didn't look so nice when they got this far. You can climb up on the seat for your photo. The inside had literature about points of interest in the valley.
Prairie City was the end of the line for the Sumpter Valley Railroad, and the city has preserved the unusual two-story depot as a museum. There is a nice city RV park behind it. That's where I stayed with full-hook-ups and free wifi.
The museum was interesting and I especially liked the old photos of places I had been. I wish I had read the rest of this article about the 1869 wagon-train because I found out later that there was a book-signing here the day before I arrived. The author wrote an historical novel about the Manwaring family, apparently Sara was an ancestor of the author. I went back and bought the book and its sequel, but the newspaper account would have been interesting.
This is an old photo of Prairie City that was in the museum.
On my tour of the town I met some of the residents...
The whole town is beautifully landscaped with flowers. This is a private residence with a yard full of poppies.
A mural depicting the train and Strawberry Mountain.
The former Masonic Lodge has a family of Barn Owls living in it. If you look closely, you can see the hole where the 3 babies were raised.
This route is also a designated scenic bike route, so bikers are welcomed at all the businesses.
Flowerbeds line the main street through town.
This Hummingbird Moth was working them over. Do you see his tongue?
This is the front door of the old Masonic Lodge, now an antique store.
The front of the drug store is graced with wooden Indians.
This bar/cafe was closed, but I was able to get a picture of the 1879 bar through the window.
It was Sunday, and a lot of the stores were closed.
There is a public parking lot big enough for RVs. And it is a beautiful 70 degree day.
This tells a little of the history of Prairie City.
This old church is now a community center. You can see Strawberry Mountain in the background. I did not get a chance to drive out that way.
More of the buildings on the main street.
I ate lunch here and had homemade blackberry pie for dessert.
The Oxbow Restaurant is where the old bar is located.
This is the only owl that made an appearance. The babies are flying now, but are said to still be seen in the evening or early morning.
Another clever mural of one of the early pioneers painting a mural of modern Prairie City.
The cemetery was next to the campground, so I strolled through and found this interesting grave. She only lived 3 years after traveling over the Oregon Trail.
The Prairie City Cemetery
And more of the local residents.
More of the Journey Through Time Scenic Byway to come. There is a lot more to see and learn.
