Musick Guard Station facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Musick Guard Station
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| Location | Umpqua National Forest |
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| Nearest city | Cottage Grove, Oregon |
| Built | 1934 |
| Architectural style | Rustic forest cabin |
| NRHP reference No. | 91000170 |
| Added to NRHP | 1991 |
The Musick Guard Station is a rustic cabin found in the Umpqua National Forest in western Oregon, United States. It was first built to be a home for firefighters who watched over the forest. In the 1990s, the United States Forest Service started renting the Musick Guard Station to people visiting for fun. This special cabin is now listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Contents
A Look Back: The Cabin's Story
Why Guard Stations Were Built
Back in the 1920s and 1930s, Forest Service workers often had to travel very far. They went from their main offices to places deep in the forest. Roads were not very good then. Getting to a work site meant a long trip. Workers had to carry all their tools. This made it hard to go back and forth every day.
So, the Forest Service built guard stations. These were placed in smart spots across the forest. They gave firefighters and work crews a place to stay. This made it easier to do jobs in faraway areas.
From Work Home to Vacation Spot
After World War II, the Forest Service built many more roads. This meant workers could reach most forest areas quickly. Because of this, guard stations were not needed as much. Some stations found new uses. But many were torn down or left empty.
In the 1990s, groups who cared about old buildings stepped in. With help from Forest Service workers, they asked managers to save the remaining stations. To pay for this, the Forest Service began renting out these old guard stations to the public.
Building the Musick Guard Station
The Musick Guard Station was built in 1934. It was put together by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC). The CCC was a group that helped young men find work during the Great Depression. The cabin is in the Umpqua National Forest. It's about 38 miles (61 km) east of Cottage Grove, Oregon. This area is known as the old Bohemia mining district.
The area got its name from James "Bohemia" Johnson. He was a prospector who found gold there in 1863. The guard station itself was named after the nearby Musick Mine. This was a big gold mine in the late 1800s and early 1900s.
Its Original Purpose and New Life
The cabin was first used as a base for fire crews. They patrolled the forests around the Bohemia mining area. It served as a summer home for these fire and trail crews. This lasted until the 1960s, when it was no longer used.
In the early 1990s, the Forest Service started renting cabins like Musick Guard Station. People could now stay there for fun. The cabin has a unique old-fashioned style. It is also important because it was one of the first Forest Service guard stations. Because of its history and look, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1991.
What the Cabin Looks Like
Location and Outside View
The Musick Guard Station sits on a narrow, tree-covered ridge. It is between Fairview Peak and Grouse Mountain. The cabin is about 5,000 feet (1,524 m) high. It is surrounded by rugged mountains that are about 6,000 feet (1,829 m) tall. These mountains have steep sides covered with Douglas fir, spruce, and Western hemlock.
The Musick Guard Station is a rustic, two-story cabin. It has a wood frame and a concrete base. The outside is covered with weatherboard and shingles. It is stained a dark brown color. This helps it blend in with the forest around it.
Inside the Cabin
On the first floor, the cabin has three rooms. There is a main living room in the middle. There is also a kitchen and a small bedroom. The upstairs is a bunkroom. This provides more space for sleeping.
The cabin has two wooden platform beds. It also has four sets of bunk beds. However, there are no mattresses, so you need to bring your own. The cabin also has a table and chairs. In the living room, there is a wood-burning stove for heat. The kitchen has a wood-burning stove for cooking. The cabin does not have electricity or running water.
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- Living room stove
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- Kitchen work area
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- Downstairs Bedroom
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- Outdoor cook grill
Other Buildings and Features
Near the cabin, there is a vault-type outhouse. This is a special outdoor toilet. There is also a horse barn and a small shed. You will find an outdoor fireplace with a cooking grill. A picnic table is also on the grounds. There is even space for tent camping if you want to sleep outside.
Fun Things to Do
Hiking Adventures
In the summer, visitors can hike on trails nearby. The Bohemia Mountain Trail is very popular. The start of this trail is a little over a mile from the guard station. From there, it's a 3/4 mile hike to the top of Bohemia Mountain. This is the highest point in the Cottage Grove Ranger District.
It's not an easy hike, though. The path goes uphill quite a bit, with slopes of 15-20 percent. A one-way trip takes about an hour from the trailhead. Hikers must bring their own water. There is no water available on the trail. From the top of Bohemia Mountain, you get a great view of the Cascade Range. You can see from Mount Hood all the way to Mount Shasta.
Another popular hike is to the top of nearby Fairview Peak. Fairview Peak summit is about two miles (3 km) from the guard station. At the top, there is a 53-foot (16 m) fire lookout tower. This tower is staffed during the summer. When a Forest Service lookout is there, the tower is open to visitors. You can climb the tower and see how fires are spotted. They use a tool called an azimuth to find the fire's exact spot. From the tower's deck, you get a wide view of the forest and the Cascade Mountains. On a clear day, you can see as far north as Mt. Hood and as far south as Mt. Shasta.
Safety Around Old Mines
In the Bohemia area, it's important to stay on marked hiking trails. Most of the old mines in this area are on private land. They can be very dangerous. It is especially risky to go into old tunnels or shafts. Always be careful and stay safe.
How to Visit the Cabin
Booking Your Stay
The Musick Guard Station can be reserved by the public. It is open from mid-June to mid-October. The cost is $50 per night. The Umpqua National Forest uses 95 percent of this money. It helps them keep the cabin in good shape and improve the area. The cabin can hold up to 10 people.
What to Bring
Remember, there is no electricity or water at the site. So, visitors must bring plenty of water. You will need it for drinking, cooking, and washing. Also bring a cooler for food and non-flammable lanterns or lights. You must also bring your own sleeping bags or bedding. Don't forget cooking tools, toiletries, towels, and a first aid kit.
Getting There
Musick Guard Station is about 38 miles (61 km) from Cottage Grove. There are a few different ways to get to the guard station. You can contact the Umpqua National Forest headquarters in Roseburg, Oregon. Or call the Cottage Grove Ranger District in Cottage Grove. They can tell you about the best routes and road conditions. Make sure to call during their normal business hours.
