The Lewis River Hydroelectric Projects - PacifiCorp

Lewis River Interpretive & Education Plan
146 ne yam
sheridan
oregon 973
client
project
The Frazier Farm
code
along a rough-and-tumble
mountain torrent
At the far end of the meadows
below Saddle Dam is a large
chestnut tree. In front of the
tree is a carefully-tended sign
that reads “Frasier Homestead
chestnut planted by Charles
in 1914.” The grand old tree,
the sign, and the surrounding
meadows are reminders of a time when the Lewis
River was still a rough-and-tumble mountain
torrent, and when pioneers worked to build
homes and communities along its banks.
Saddle Dam lies across lands
originally homesteaded by
John Frasier and his family
in the 1880s. The Frasiers
arrived at this site in 1888,
paddling and poling up the
Lewis in dugout canoes
in search of land to settle.
They liked the look of this
area, with its fairly level land and easy access
to good fishing at the “Slide” (a site now
covered by Yale Dam). They soon established
a successful cattle ranch, supplying meat to
logging camps in the surrounding mountains.
Eventually, three generations
of Frasiers lived and farmed
here. They grew cash crops
of corn and potatoes,
boarded loggers, and even
dabbled in gold mining. Some
worked on logging crews.
notes
drawing
scale
In the early 1950s, the
farm was sold to Pacific Power for the
construction of Yale Dam and Saddle Dam.
Today, elk graze the old Frasier family fields
just below the dam, and remnant trees of the
fruit orchard still feed elk, deer, and birds.
by
revisions
Sea Reach Ltd • 146 NE yamhill Street • Sheridan, OR draft 3 • November 2008 • page 33
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