Ochoco National Forest Mines (Oregon)

[Brian894x4]

I hope this is the appropriate place for this, since this was just a day trip. I just finished an article for the In Search of History (http://www.brian894x4.com/INSEARCHOFHISTORY.html) section of my site about a day trip I took last month to visit some old mines in the Central Oregon Ochoco National Forest.

http://www.brian894x4.com/OchocoMinesTripOne.html

[flyingwil]

Nice page you got there. Looks like a fun adventure! Thanks for sharing!

[Scott Brady]

As always Brian, great stuff!

Arizona was fortunate to have many "intact" mines, but unfortunately the huge population growth is starting to take its toll, with damage and theft.

[Brian894x4]

I know what you mean. Nothing sickens me more than to see the theft and destruction of historical sites, but after visiting and then revisting dozens and dozens of sites, I've been repeatedly sickened seeing what people have taken.

I don't mind recovering items, but I firmly believe they should be placed on public display or used for public archeological research. All to often they end up in someone's backyard or on ebay or in a junkyard. I've even heard of scrap dealers going up and looking for stuff at some sites even in recent years to sell off.

That's why I sometimes hesitate about giving the exact locations of some of these places on my website.