14
JANUARY 5–12, 2022
CULTURE & HERITAGE
CELEBRATING THE HISTORY
OF EASTERN OREGON
History class is in session at Silvies School wayside
Replica
schoolhouse
is maintained
by Silvies
Valley Ranch
By Cheryl Hoefler
GO! Magazine
S
ILVIES VALLEY — The
students are long gone and
the school bell quiet, but history
lessons are alive and well at the
Silvies School Historic & Picnic
Area.
At the centerpiece of this
rest spot is a replica one-room
schoolhouse, where visitors can
peer through the windows for
a glimpse back to school days
long ago. Wooden desks, metal
lunch pails, chalkboards, an
American flag, posters and les-
LO S T I N E , O R E G O N
11 W am
to 7 pm Wednesday, Thursday, Sunday
EDNESDAY - SUNDAY 8 AM TO 8 PM
L 11
A T am
E O to
N 8
F R pm
IDA
Y AND
S A Saturday
TURDAY
Friday
and
541-569-2285
S C R AT C H M A D E
BEER
PIZZA
DENIM
AND MORE
G L A C I E R C O L D • FA W N F R E S H
Cheryl Hoefler/Go! Magazine
Silvies School Historic & Picnic Area is on Highway 395, 32 miles south of John Day and 36 miles north of Burns. This photo was taken in the fall of 2021.
sons on the walls, plus a stove
at the center to ward off chilly
high desert weather — all that’s
missing are the students and
teacher, whom you might think
just stepped out of the room for
recess.
While the school is the main
feature, there are plenty more
reasons for visitors to pull off
for a bit at this peaceful, shady
wayside. A playground, spacious
grass area, picnic tables and
large bathrooms with flushing
toilets and even baby-changing
tables offer enough amenities
and comforts to please travelers.
A big old barn behind the
schoolhouse is where students rid-
ing horses to school secured their
animals during the school day.
Interpretive signs help tell the
story of the area and the Silvies
Valley Ranch.
Silvies — town, valley, ranch
and river — owes its name to
beaver trapper Captain Anto-
nine Sylvaille, who arrived in
the region in 1826. The Silvies
post office opened in February
1892, under postmaster Ad-
elaide Cross. A school was built
shortly after and operated until
about 1940. At one time there
were three schools serving more
than 70 ranches throughout the
expansive valley.
This roadside gem is owned
and maintained by Silvies Valley
Ranch.
Silvies School Historic & Pic-
nic Area is on Highway 395, 32
miles south of John Day and 36
miles north of Burns.