Trails and Tribulations - History of the Brothers Area - Oregon Historical Markers on Waymarking.com

This is one of four signs in a kiosk at the Brothers Rest Area.

Marker Name: Trails and Tribulations - History of the Brothers Area
Marker Text: TRAILS AND ROADS
Several wagon roads had lift their mark on the area by the second half of the 19th century. Oregon Trail immigrants, traveling the ill-fated Meek Cutoff, crossed Camp Creek and then paralleled the Crooked River on their journey to the Willamette Valley, in 1845. Additional roads passed through the area after the 1870s. The Yreka Road linked California with the John Day gold fields, while the Prineville to Lakeview Wagon Road provided one of the main north/south arterials.

THE DRY ROUTE
The ‘Lost Wagon’ or Meek train sought to avoid the difficult crossing of the Blue Mountains by attempting a southern route. From Burns, the wagon train traveled westward until reaching Glass Butte where they turned north. Lack of water forced the Meek Train immigrants away from the desert and into the more rugged country to the north.

NATIVE PEOPLE
Indian people utilized a wide variety of resources in the Brothers area during the past 11,000 years. Plants and animals were used not only for food but for the production of twine, baskets, weapons, clothing, shelter, and other utilitarian purposes. In addition, nearby locations with obsidian and jasper were exploited to produce stone tools. Archaeological evidence suggests that, although small groups established many temporary camps throughout the area, there were few, if any, permanent settlements.

Please upload a favorite photograph you took of the waymark. Although visiting this waymark in person is the only thing required of you to receive credit for your visit, taking the time to add this information is greatly appreciated.

Be creative.