Disappearing History
Posted by: Groundspeak Premium Member Volcanoguy
N 44° 32.140 W 118° 36.317
11T E 372461 N 4932624
History sign along The Stump Dodger Trail.
Waymark Code: WM2TM2
Location: Oregon, United States
Date Posted: 12/20/2007
Published By:Groundspeak Premium Member TheBeanTeam
Views: 23

One of five history signs along The Stump Dodger Trail near Dixie Summit on U.S. Hwy. 26.

Marker Name: Disappearing History
Marker Text: As better roads were built into the area, the need for the railroad diminished. The last run was made in 1947. The rails were removed and equipment was sold or scrapped. Some portions were widened and became roads, while the rest was gradually reclaimed by the forest. But the memories didn’t fade. Hiking the old grade became a pastime for some and a book, “Rails, Sagebrush, and Pine” was written by Mallory Hope Ferrell in 1967.
Less than 25 years after the last whistles echoed off the hills, the Sumpter Valley Railroad Restoration was founded. Local people just couldn’t let the steam trains die! Original equipment has been located and restored, track relaid, and a depot built in Sumpter Valley. Today you can once again ride the steam train and hear the whistle echo down the valley.
In Prairie City, another group has restored the depot into a park and museum. The Malheur National FOrest has prepared an auto tour brochure, available at Forest Service offices, that traces the route along Highways 7 and 26. The Sumpter Valley Railway Historic District was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1987.

Historic Topic: Modern Age 1900 to date

Group Responsible for placement: Forest Service

Marker Type: Trail

Region: Eastern Oregon

County: Grant

State of Oregon Historical Marker "Beaver Board": Not listed

Web link to additional information: Not listed

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OregonTrailRanger visited Disappearing History 11/25/2020 OregonTrailRanger visited it
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