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About The nugget. (Sisters, Or.) 1994-current | View Entire Issue (June 12, 2019)
6 Wednesday, June 12, 2019 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon New trail touches Camp Polk history The Deschutes Land Trust has established a new historic interpretive trail at Camp Polk Meadow Preserve. Camp Polk Meadow Preserve is a nature preserve outside of Sisters, Oregon that also protects the remnants of Hindman Station, one of the historic way stations on the Santiam Wagon Road. The Land Trust9s new interpretive trail shares some of the unique human history of the meadow, the wagon road and the Hindman fam- ily. The new trail, along with the Land Trust9s Santiam Wagon Road trail at Whychus Canyon Preserve, provides the only interpretation of the Santiam Wagon Road east of the Cascades. Visitors can now walk in the footsteps of Wagon Road travelers along a half-mile trail that winds around the his- toric Hindman Springs por- tion of the meadow. Colorful new signs with detailed his- torical photos tell the story of the many people who visited the meadow over the years: Native Americans, soldiers, and settlers including the Hindman family. The Land Trust also offers free, guided Camp Polk Meadow history walks: deschuteslandtrust. org/events <The Land Trust recog- nizes the importance of his- torical interpretation for our rapidly growing community,= said Brad Chalfant, Deschutes Land Trust executive director. <When our Land Trust pre- serves contain important his- torical artifacts like a former way station on the Santiam Wagon Road, we do our best to protect and share these resources with the commu- nity. This project represents a great partnership between the Land Trust, our local history organizations, and the Oregon Community Foundation and other funders.= Camp Polk Meadow has been a historical crossroads for people for thousands of years. First the meadow sup- plied plentiful food and water for generations of Native American tribes. Then, it COFFEEHOUSE Be Together. Enjoy Fika. Coffee • Tea Baked Goods Light breakfast & lunch 541-588-0311 201 E. Sun Ranch Dr., Mon-Sat 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. became a hub when explor- ers, soldiers, entrepreneurs, and settlers moved West to build the community we see today. The Hindman family played a major role in the settlement of Camp Polk 4 and Central Oregon 4 from 1868-1882. In 1868, Samuel Hindman purchased 160 acres of land where he eventually built a house and barn, which would become Hindman Station on the Santiam Wagon Road. Hindman Station was a stopping place on the Santiam Wagon Road between Cache Creek Station and Lower Bridge. For travel- ers, the Station offered a store for replenishing goods, a post office, and a place where travelers made their final preparations for trips east across the high desert or west across the Cascades. Today, the posts and beams from the Hindman barn and the root cellar from the Hindman home are all that remain of the once-flour- ishing Hindman Station. Built in 1870, the barn is the only remaining structure from the Santiam Wagon Road era and is one of Deschutes County9s oldest structures. The new interpretive trail is part of a larger Land Trust project to restore the his- toric Hindman Springs por- tion of Camp Polk Meadow Preserve. Investments have included trail updating, native plant restoration, and PHOTO COURTESY DESCHUTES LAND TRUST New interpretive signs help orient hikers in Camp Polk Preserve. historic resource preservation and interpretation. Historic Wagon Road stopping points can also be seen at the Land Trust9s Indian Ford Meadow Preserve and Whychus Canyon Preserve. When life changes, you still want a place that feels like home! We help create special moments for residents and their families. Each day we learn how we can continue to meet or exceed their expectations for the care we provide in a smaller, intimate setting. D T, O/O 541-848-3194 Gypsy Wind Clothing Color! St yle! Comfort! PHOTO COURTESY DESCHUTES LAND TRUST The Hindman barn is a historic remnant on the preserve. Fun & Affordable Afff ordablle For Work, Play, y & Travel! Open Tues.-Sat., 10 a.m.-4 p.m. | Sun., 1-4 p.m. Closed Monday | 351 W. HOOD AVE. Smile, Sisters! We’re committed to y your dental health! Exceptional Health, Prevention & Aesthetics For Your Family! Sisters Dental Trevor Frideres d.m.d. p 541-549-9486 f 541-549-9110 410 E. Cascade Ave. • P.O. Box 1027 • Sisters