Ada is an unincorporated community that is unique in several ways. (1) It is one of Oregon’s rare place names attributed to a first name. The community was named for Miss Ada Wilkes, daughter of Benjamin and Jaretta Wilkes, longtime residents of the area. (2) It is an Oregon palindromic place name, a name that reads the same forward and backwards.
This is a tribute to three loggers who died in mudslide (1999) while conduction logging operations.
This site also marks the location of the Fiddle Creek schoolhouse. Built circa 1900. The hillside land was donated by B.W. Dorsey. All labor was donated, and materials purchased in Florence were barged across Woahink and Siltcoos Lake and sledded by team to the site. Later the building was added to double its size.
Early records show the name of the school being College Hill. A student could stay through the tenth grade if a teacher agreed. Girls were allowed to earn a teaching certificate by completing the tenth-grade course of study.
By 1935 the teacher pay was $80 a month with $5.00 extra for doing the cleaning, getting in the kindling and firewood and water from the well.
Danish immigrant, Neal Christensen, homesteaded the area known as Siltcoos in 1892, settling under the National Timber and Stone Act. He and his sons built docks and piers to enable the shipment of supplies to build the Lane line of the SP Railroad. They created a ferry system of barges between neighboring lakes that connected the roadway to the railroad construction area. The areas between the lakes were connected via stagecoaches and small gauge rails. In 1914, the rail was completed including a railroad switch and stop in front of what became Siltcoos Station. As a result of the rail, lumber mills and fishing resorts started to flourish and the lake population grew. The stagecoach road built by Christensen that connected part of the road between Woahink lake and Siltcoos lake became known as Siltcoos Station Road.
Along miles 12 to 14, there are broken views of two bridges carrying the rail line.
In total, the Coos Bay Rail Line traverses 121 bridges between Eugene and end of line in Coquille. The bridge structures vary in type and configuration, but include three steel swing span bridges, a variety of steel truss, through plate girder, and deck plate girders spans, concrete box spans, and a multitude of timber trestles. Many of the structures were first built when the line was constructed in 1914 through 1916, and many of the steel structures are now more than 100 years old.
Tahkenitch Lake (Stick of the Lollipop) / Miles 0 to 12 and 27 to 39 (End)
The Farm Sector / Miles 12 to 17
Siltcoos Lake Loop / Miles 17 to 27
At the intersection of Highway 101 (The Oregon Coast Highway) and Fivemile Road. Look for a wide spot in along Fivemile road to pull off and park.
Lat / Long: 43.762720, -124.124010
On this ride you may encounter active timber harvesting operations. To ensure your safety, the safety of the timber workers, and to avoid conflicts, please familiarize yourself with the following guidelines .
Signs of Active Logging
– Signage (i.e. CB channels, mile markers, etc.)
– Gates open
– Tire tracks
– Fresh gravel in-lay
– Brushing and mowing alongside the road
– Orange ribbon marking road obstacles or hazards
– Noise
What You Should Do as a Cyclists
– Remember that hauling log trucks always have the right of way! Uphill or downhill.
– Move to side of road. Stop, put a foot down. Wave!
– Use lights. A flashing white front light and a red flashing rear light with radar detector (Garmin Varia, Trek CarBack)
– Do not over ride your sight lines.
– Keep your group size small and together; reducing your riding footprint.
– Listen and be observant.
Lastly, when access is temporarily closed, do not “sneak through”. Logging operators are not trying to keep you out, they are trying to keep you safe. And they may keep you out, to keep you safe.
Have you ridden this route? Got a question? Join the discussion!