Logging Museum at Collier Memorial State Park
Situated in southern Oregon, along highway 97, is Collier Memorial State Park. The park has a day use area, a campground, and a logging museum. I have driven by the park many times and I finally stopped to check it out. I was pleasantly surprised. The open air museum is a great tribute to the timber industry.
As a memorial to their parents, Alfred and Andrew Collier, of Klamath Falls, donated the original 146 acres to the state in 1945. A couple years later, they donated the logging equipment that started the museum. The park has grown to 536 acres and showcases 80 years of logging history in southern and eastern Oregon.
The Swan Lake Moulding Company in Klamath Falls was established in 1923 by the Collier’s and operated until the early 2000’s.
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Know Before You Go
Day Use Fees: None
Overnight Options: RV and tent camping available, as well as a horse camp
Open: Logging Museum is open year round, camping is open seasonally May 15th – September 30th
Things to See at the Museum
The Logging Museum covers many aspects of the timber industry including logging camps and forest products. But its focus is on the equipment. Follow the trails to see one of the best displays of antique logging equipment in the U.S.
I am not a mechanical or railroad buff, but I found the information fascinating.
Cut, Move, Mill Trail
From a collection of hand tools, to a Mack truck, and a historic band saw mill, this trail showcases the cutting, moving, and milling of trees.
At the time, pine was milled most from this area. Other woods harvested were larch and fir.
The Douglas Fir is Oregon’s State Tree
Logging Evolution Trail
This short trail follows the evolution of logging machine technology in southern Oregon beginning from the 1860’s.
Horse and Oxen (1860 – 1900)
Steam (1890 – 1920)
Internal Combustion (1920 – today)
Railroad Row
In 1909 the Southern Pacific Railroad arrived in the area, making it easy to ship lumber nationwide. Make sure to check out the massive log loader on Railroad Row.
Historic Cabin Village
The Homesteaders Act of 1862 brought pioneers to Oregon. Many people traveled further north along the Columbia River, but some settled in the Klamath Basin. The ten cabins in the Historic Cabin Village were built between 1880 and 1920 in areas located within 100 miles from the park. I loved peeking at these rustic buildings and wondering what it would have been like to call one home.
More than a Museum
For me, the Logging Museum is the highlight of this park. But, this State Park also has a campground, good fishing, and access to miles of roads and trails for hiking, biking, and horseback riding.
Spring Creek & Williamson River
Spring Creek and Williamson River flow through Collier Memorial State Park. They are both open to non-motorized boats and are known for good trout fishing.
Williamson Day Use Area & the Campground
Located on the east side of highway 97 are the day use area and campground.
This museum is definitely worth a stop, especially if you’re looking for something to do along your drive between Klamath Falls and Bend. There’s also plenty to do if you enjoy spending time outdoors and can explore for a couple days.
Have you visited the park or nearby areas? I’d love to hear your stories.
LEAVE NO TRACE
Oregon History
Historic Marker text:
Peter Skene Ogden, chief trader for the Hudson’s Bay Company, and Thomas McKay, clerk, with a company of 15 employees, 20 freemen, and some Native families, and over 100 horses, left The Dalles, September 19, 1826. They went up the Deschutes and Crooked Rivers to the Harney Basin, exploring and trapping beaver with little success. Returning over Newberry Crater to the Upper Deschutes and south to the Williamson, they encountered heavy storms and deep snow on Upper Klamath (Clammitte) Marsh and gratefully descended to Spring Creek here December 5, 1826.
The game had migrated out of the snow and they were happy to trade the Klamaths out of dogs and dried mullet to eat. The party travelled on south till discouraged by the Tule Lake Lava Beds. Turning back to the Klamath and down to Beswick Hot Springs, they trapped and explored on over to the Rogue River Basin. Spreading out their party they trapped the streams north and west of Mt. Shasta which Ogden named with its Indian name “Sastise.” In May the party went east and north to the Harney Basin and the Malheur River. Then down the Snake to Fort Nez Perce (Walla Wall).
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