Re: Sumpter maps

I don't have a single map comparing modern roads either. The one BCP posted is not very accurate as the route is wrong in a number of places. The late Ron Harr had traced hundreds of miles of logging spurs as well as the mainline onto USGS maps. Some of these have been scanned, but would be problematic to post without a lot editing. Possibly one could use the blue print ROW maps and work with google maps to create an accurate map, if one had a surplus of time.
BCP's map is only a general outline not showing anything of the complex track system in S.Baker and the connecting lines to Baker and the UP.
Between Baker City and Curry points of interest in terms where old stations were one would have Bennett, Lockhart, Salisbury, Thompson where a section was located, Boulder Gorge/Red Bridge area, Boulder Gorge siding and water tank, and Mason. Below Boulder Gorge one can see where a spur crossed to the Hwy side of the river to run up California Gulch for Stoddard Lbr. Near this area is also the location along the ROW where there was once an attempt to mine low grade coal. Near Boulder Gorge siding there was a spur that crossed the river to a mill site for Shockley McMurren Lbr., which became part of Stoddard. Mason which would be just above the present dam site under the lake was where another Stoddard line tied in. Between Curry and McEwen there was once a spur or siding for FM Bennett lumber which is now under the lake. Just below McEwen near Hudspeth Rd. was the early spur line to Stoddard's early mill at the mouth of Clear Crk. Below Sumpter the junction was S Wye. S Wye water tank was a bit below the Wye. One can find the water tank footings today along our line. On BCP's map if you look at the point where the red line touches the Hwy between Sumpter and Whitney just below the r in Forest is Larch Summit where there were sidings, storage spur and wye. The rr mined decomposed granite here for ballast. Between Larch and S Wye area is a point where there once was a water tank and large trestle. The line was relocated in 1917 I think which involved a very long deep cut to reduce curvature. The spoils from the cut were used to make a fill which replaced the trestle and likely covered the water tank site. One can view the mudsill locations for the original trestle. Between Larch Summit and Whitney going down grade from Larch is the passing siding of Alder Springs, then a little further down is the Alder Springs trestle site. The rr actually called the trestle site "Styx". Many photos were taken here such as one of the very late ones showing a lumber train with one of the mallets and cab. 5 going up grade. Below Alder Springs trestle one eventually arrives at another passing siding of McCoy where there was also a water tank. There is some evidence that the passing siding was relocated from immediately adjacent to the water tank, to further down grade. Just before arriving at Whitney one would pass the Whitney water tower and sand house site. This water tank was installed in the late 1930's to replace the one that had been by the depot. Some remains of the sand house/pump house building remain and water tank piers can be found. A county road overlays the grade at this point. Between Whitney and Tipton there are a couple points of interest that all take a good deal of navigating back roads and walking, as do the Alder Springs trestle site and McCoy. On the way up grade toward Tipton one will find the passing siding of Carrol. I understand this was a location where Japaneese section workers once lived and their are some scattered building remains. This was also a water tower site at one time. Further up grade is the final water tower site also called Carrol, but this may be the water tower site sometimes referred to as Tipton water tank by non rr people. This remains the subject of some speculation. The water tank base is still standing at this site. At Tipton one can follow the balloon loop and also see in part where the wye was that was added in later years. The depot site is mostly overlain by the Hwy. The Tipton area is where the map is just plain wrong. The Hwy passes trough Tipton and the rr crosses back to the south side of the Hwy. Between Tipton and White Pine the rr makes a large S Curve. It descends along the side of a ridge, making a curve on a high fill crossing the ridge line to increase the radius of the curve, and comes back along the other side of the ridge into the creek bottom of Crawford Crk. curving back again in a S.W direction in the creek bottom. The curve around the ridge and again in the creek bottom form an S. Not far below the lower curve the grade crosses the creek and grades along side of the ridge past a point where another water tank called S Curve was located. This is listed in old Co. documents as a fuel wood storage location. At White Pine which is quite a way S. of the Hwy unlike show on the map is a Wye which was the connection to the Baker White Pine Lbr. Co. mill and town. Some remains of boards from the depot remain near the west wye switch location. Below White Pine a mile or so the rr grade crosses the hwy heading in a S.W. direction. This next section is drivable into Austin with a 4WD in dry weather. I have always turned around at the outskirts of Austin even though I could have driven on, but would had to have opened gates and there were cattle to contend with. I have done very little exploring between Bates and Prairie City. Leaving Bates the rr follows Bridge Creek. Just above Bates is the location of Hobbs Spur which was a location where a dairy once loaded milk cans. This is heavy timber country and it is hard to conceive of a ranch nearby shipping milk. Near Hobbs is also the site of the Cavanaugh Mill. There is some evidence of a small bridge across the creek for a spur into the mill. This mill was built by an eastern investor and managed by Frank Gardiner who was a significant non Mormon lumberman in the area. The timing was completely wrong in the construction of this mill as the Great Depression hit the area hard and the mill likely never turned a wheel. As one follows the BCP map further S.W you will see where the red line crosses the Hwy. This is at the site of Dixie. There was a wye, water tank and section houses here. One can still find the feed pipe that ran to the water tower from a spring which is still running water. The area is much disturbed by the Hwy cut. The switchbacks are west of Dixie. They are not quite shown correctly as the lower switchback actually cuts under the Hwy. and back again. There is an interpretive display along the Hwy at the lower switchback. From here my knowledge is scant. Between the switchbacks and Prairie City there was a large trestle site called Kite's trestle. There was also a spur to a mill located perhaps about half way between Dixie and Prairie. This mill shipped lumber down to Prairie where they had a planing mill. So far as I know this lumber was used for local sales in the John Day Valley. At Prairie the 2 story Sumpter Valley Ry depot stands preserved as the DeWitt museum. They have many fine displays on local history including the rr. Hope this helps a little. I have made almost no effort to describe where logging spurs joined the mainline as they are numerous.




Edited 3 time(s). Last edit at 02/16/2014 07:06PM by J.B.Bane.