8
Journey
Blue Mountain Eagle
Wednesday, July 26, 2017
EO Media Group photos/E.J. Harris
Ritter Hot Springs sits in a bend of the Middle Folk John Day River near Long Creek in northern Grant County.
By E.J. Harris
RITTER
Far away
in time and distance
EO Media Group
If you are looking for a
health spa with herbal wraps,
cucumber water and Yerba
mate lattes, then Ritter Hot
Springs is not for you.
However, what Ritter
might lack in posh accouter-
ments, it more than makes
up for with scenic beauty, a
rich history and plenty of hot,
healing spring water.
Ritter was first discovered
and homesteaded by William
Neal McDuffee in the 1850s
and was originally named
A cabin still sits on the
original site homesteaded
by William Neal McDuffee.
McDuffee Hot Springs. One
of McDuffee’s original cabins
can still be found on the site
today. McDuffee was an in-
teresting character, according
to current Ritter owner Mike
Tillay of Walla Walla. Tillay,
who has studied the history
of the hot springs, says Mc-
Duffee was a miner, a water-
master and even spent time in
prison for murdering a man
on the property.
“(McDuffee) was an out of
luck miner and he struck gold
with hot water,” Tillay said.
See RITTER, Page 9
I N - HOUSE
SMOKED SNACK
STICKS ,
JERKY ,
& LUNCH
MEATS .
W INES &
CHEESES .
We are
worth the
extra mile!
Sat., Sept. 9th, 7:30-11am
FREE RIDE
S
for children
1st
to 12th grad
e
only
BEHIND EVERY PROJECT IS A
DUKE WARNER
REALTY
PONY EXPRESS 4-PLEX+!
Providing temporary housing
for park employees/visitors,
USPS lease, rental house.
$320,000 OWC
13 ACRES OF GREAT
HORSE PROPERTY!
Views, 2 story home, 2 ponds,
shop, hayshed/barn & irri
meadow. $499,000
RMLS #16538042
RMLS #17051972
160 ACRE OFF GRID
SOUTH FORK RIVER
RANCH, IZEE!
20 ac irr, barn, 2 greenhouses,
2 cabins, spring, LOP tags.
$650,000 RMLS #17545834
560 AC OFF GRID
BEAUTY & SECLUSION!
2/2, barn, shop, creek, LOP
tags. $1,250,000
NICE LARGE FAMILY
HOME IN PRAIRIE CITY
ON CORNER LOT!
Upgrades, 3/2, garage, large
shop. $248,000
FAMILY HOME
ON 36 ACRES!
Daylight basement, ATV
sheds, small barn, deer fenced
courtyard makes a great
summer retreat area. $425,000
RMLS #17489335
RMLS #15128485
Y o u r
240 ACRES w/CABIN!
Private, secluded, remote,
limited winter access.
$180,000 OWC
RMLS #16557352
CEDAR SIDED HOME
ON 7.80 ACRES!!
Mt Views, custom gated
entryway, pool, hot tub, pond
w/water fall, garage w/living
qtrs., barn w/stalls. $355,000
RMLS #15289183
RMLS #16452348
FIRESIDE LODGE!
Potential – Diversity! 54
timbered ac, borders NF, bar,
restaurant, cabins, private
living quarters. $450,000
Supply Store
ve
• Hunting
We ha ies!
• Fishing
pl
V Sup
R
• Camping
• RV supplies
We have everything you
need to prepare for your
summer journey!
RMLS #17632371
Downtown John Day • 541-575-0632 • Open 7 days a week