Rogue River Ranch facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Rogue River Ranch
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Rogue River Ranch National Historic Site
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 Location in Oregon
Location in the United States
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| Location | Curry County, Oregon, USA |
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| Nearest city | Agness, Oregon |
| Built | 1903–1930s |
| Architect | George Billings |
| Architectural style | Common wood frame |
| NRHP reference No. | 75001581 |
| Added to NRHP | 1975 |
The Rogue River Ranch is a historic farm in Curry County, Oregon, USA. It sits on the north side of the Rogue River, near the Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest. George Billings built the first buildings here. Later, Stanley Anderson owned the ranch, making it bigger and adding more farm structures. In 1970, the Bureau of Land Management bought the ranch. Today, the main ranch house is a museum for visitors. The Bureau of Land Management also has a campground on the property. The Rogue River Ranch is an important historical site. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Contents
A Look Back: Ranch History
Early Native American Life
Long ago, Native Americans lived in the area around the Rogue River Ranch. Archeologists have found proof they were here for over 9,000 years. The first people were the ancient Takelma, who spoke their own language. Later, Athabascan-speaking people moved into the valley. Both groups shared a similar way of life. They fished, hunted, and gathered food from nature.
For thousands of years, the ranch site was a seasonal camp. It might have even become a permanent village. This way of life changed in 1856. The native people were moved to reservations in northern Oregon.
The Billings Family Homestead
In 1887, Tom Billings officially claimed land on the north shore of the Rogue River. This was at the mouth of Mule Creek. The next year, Tom gave the land claim to his older brother, George Billings. In 1894, Tom and his wife, Anna, had a daughter named Marial. The small settlement at Mule Creek was named Marial after her.
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In 1903, George Billings built a large two-story house. He also started the Billings Trading Company in Marial. Billings ran a place for travelers and miners to stay. His trading post became the main spot for shopping and social events. About 100 people lived in Marial at that time.
In 1907, Billings sold some land to a mining company. The next year, he built a barn on his remaining property. This building became known as the tabernacle. Billings used it for dances and church services. In 1931, Billings sold his 70-acre (28-hectare) ranch to Stanley Anderson for $5,000.
The Anderson Family Era
The Anderson family later bought 130 acres (53 hectares) across the river. After buying the ranch, the Andersons made the main house bigger. They also built a caretaker's house, a bunkhouse, a blacksmith shop, a tackhouse, a woodshed, a storage shed, and a chicken coop. They removed most of the old mining buildings. The Marial post office, which opened in 1903, closed in 1954. In 1956, Anderson painted the main house a bright red. It still has that color today.
In 1970, the Anderson family sold their 200-acre (81-hectare) ranch. The United States Government bought it under the National Wild and Scenic Rivers program. The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) became responsible for the property.
Rogue River Ranch Today
The BLM created the Rogue River Ranch National Historic Site. They turned the main house into a museum. The museum shows the history of Native Americans, local mining, the Billings family, and the Anderson farm. You can visit the Rogue River Ranch museum from May to October.
The ranch lets visitors explore the rich history of the Rogue River canyon. It was important for local business and social life. Because of this, the Rogue River Ranch was added to the National Register of Historic Places on December 29, 1975. This historic ranch covers 700 acres (283 hectares). It has four historic buildings and other structures.
Exploring the Ranch Buildings
There are four ranch buildings that visitors can enter. These are the tackhouse, the blacksmith shop, the tabernacle, and the main house museum. Other buildings, like the caretaker's house and a large barn, are not open to the public.
The main house was built in 1903. It sits on a gentle slope, looking towards Mule Creek. It is a two-story house made of wood. The lumber for the house came from Ponderosa pine trees cut right on the property. Workers smoothed the siding by hand. The window glass traveled all the way from Portland, but the window frames were made at the ranch. The main house does not have a fireplace. It is heated by a wood-burning stove in the living room.
The other ranch buildings are also made of wood. They have wood-lap siding. In 2008, the Bureau of Land Management fixed up the Tackhouse. They replaced old, rotted wood that made the building weak.
Getting to the Rogue River Ranch
Where is the Ranch?
The Rogue River Ranch National Historic Site is in the Rogue River canyon in southern Oregon. It is at the mouth of Mule Creek, on the north side of the Rogue River. The ranch is about 420 feet (128 meters) above sea level. It is a quiet, isolated place. The Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest surrounds it. The ranch is a key stopping point along the wild part of the Rogue River. This section is a National Wild and Scenic River.
How to Get There
The Rogue River Ranch is 45 miles (72 kilometers) northwest of Galice. It is 42 miles (68 kilometers) southwest of Glendale. It is also 24 miles (39 kilometers) southeast of Powers. And it is 23 miles (37 kilometers) northeast of Agness. It takes at least two hours to drive to the ranch from any of these towns. There are no gas stations along the way. So, drivers should start with a full tank of gas. The closest city is Grants Pass, which is 75 miles (121 kilometers) from the ranch.
You can also reach the ranch by boat down the Rogue River. Or you can hike the Rogue River canyon trail. The ranch is 22 river miles (35 kilometers) from Grave Creek Bridge. This bridge is 8 miles (13 kilometers) north of Galice. The canyon trail is 23 miles (37 kilometers) long. Most people take two days to float down the river. The hike from Grave Creek usually takes three days.
Camping at the Ranch
The Rogue River Ranch is a popular stop for boaters and hikers. Because of this, the Bureau of Land Management has a campground at Mule Creek. The campground has simple campsites with public toilets nearby. Drinking water is no longer available near the caretaker's house. The BLM does not charge a fee for camping. However, campers must talk to the ranch caretaker about their stay.
Images for kids
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Historic main house
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Tabernacle building
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Ranch tackhouse
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Blacksmith shop
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