Many homesteaders arrived in Eagle Valley, Oregon in the 1870s due to the growing mining and railroad industries. However, they eventually turned to farming because of the valley’s low elevation (2200 feet), which gives it a longer growing season and milder winters compared to nearby Baker City (3450 feet) and Halfway (2650 feet). The high peaks of the Wallowa mountains provide ample snow and water, making the region a “banana belt” where many fruits and vegetables thrive, including peach, apricot, apple, and cherry orchards. [on-site kiosk]

A wigwam burner is a free-standing conical steel structure ranging from 30 to 60 feet in height; it is used to dispose of waste wood in logging yards by incineration. As a result, they produce a large quantity of smoke and ash, which is vented directly into the atmosphere without filtering. [Wikipedia]

Until the 1830’s the only people who had experienced the wonders of Pine Valley included the Nez Perce, Umatilla, Shoshone and Snake Indian tribes. They used to hunt, fish and gather Camas Bulbs in the area. Captain Benjamin Bonneville explored the area and published a description of it in his journal in 1837. “Pine Valley is a beautiful valley about five miles wide and fifteen miles long surrounded by snow-capped peaks and timber laden mountains with numerous mountain streams flowing through the meadowlands below.” [Pine Valley Lodge]

The City of Halfway was incorporated in 1909. The story of how Halfway got its name runs the gamut, but this is fairly close. A new post office was being established in 1887. As it was midway between existing post offices located at Cornucopia and Pine Town, the name “Midway” was requested. The postal officials replied that there was already a Midway, Oregon, and suggested Halfway. Halfway was located in Union County until 1901, when it became part of Baker County. Its current population is about 380. [Hell’s Canyon Chamber of Commerce]

This mining town was platted in 1886 following rapid growth after a gold discovery in 1884. The famous and highly profitable mine, Cornucopia, led to the name of the town. Profit brought popularity, and by 1902 Cornucopia boasted around 700 residents. At the time it was one of the ten largest mining operations in the whole country. Cornucopia’s decline began in 1929 when the stock market crash dropped the town’s population to 10 people. [Oregon Secretary of State]

The Wild and Scenic River designation is given to rivers that meet certain eligibility criteria, including being free-flowing and possessing “outstanding remarkable values” such as scenic attraction, recreation, historical significance, and wildlife importance. The lower seven miles of Eagle Creek (included in this route) meet these criteria. The area is characterized by a mix of basalt plateaus, mixed conifer forests, grassy openings, and ponderosa pine stands, along with unique rock formations. The creek alternates between rapids, short waterfalls, smooth swift stretches, and deep blue pools.

New Bridge was founded on the banks of Eagle Creek near an important bridge built across the stream in pioneer times. New Bridge was platted in 1908, “only after irreversible decline had set in”. New Bridge sold agricultural products from the Eagle Valley to miners near Sparta. It had a fruit and vegetable cannery, a box factory, and a packing shed for apples.The decline of New Bridge was due in part to nearby Richland being platted in 1897. Photo of New Bridge and Eagle Valley as seen from Sparta Road to the east. Circa 1900. [Wikipedia]