bend wyatt one crop

bend wyatt one crop

Sunday, October 16, 2011

The end of the trail

My town, Oregon City, was the end of the Oregon Trail.

In 1846, Horace and Jane Baker left their 7 kids with relatives in Illinois and caught the second wagon train out west.
They lived on their 640 acre claim  for 10 years, before they built a cabin.
Horace was busy quarrying basalt from the cliffs above.
The basalt was used to build the Oregon City locks, the Tillamook Light House and Portland's Pioneer Post Office.

No pegs or nails fasten the lap-jointed logs in the cabin.
The cantilevered design is common to the East Coast, but seldom seen out West.

Here's the well. I am kind of thirsty!

Stanzie found the butter churn.


I'm heading upstairs to check out the sleeping loft.

Here is where they ground chestnuts and grains down to flour. The holes formed in these rocks from repeated use.

Oh and BTW, they never did go back to Illinois to get their kids...BOL
I wonder if they had any dogs?

Wyatt and Stanzie

Posted by Wyatt at

24 comments:

  1. K-KoiraOctober 16, 2011 at 9:08 PM

    There is a great book about the history of the United States through dogs. A dog traveled with Lewis and Clark, and dogs were present at basically every major even throughout our history.

    But, its pretty cool to live right at the end of the Oregon Trail

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  2. FinnOctober 16, 2011 at 9:31 PM

    That's a pretty cool house! I love the butter churn.

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  3. STELLA and RORY from Down UnderOctober 17, 2011 at 1:48 AM

    Great story Wyatt, but they didn't go back for their kids? Is that for real? Mum can't believe it. No worries, and love, Stella and Rory

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  4. Bella Roxy & MacduiOctober 17, 2011 at 2:11 AM

    Maybe they were really bratty kids! But, I suppose crossing the country once was enough.

    Great cabin.

    XXXOOO Daisy, kendra & Bella

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  5. DukeOctober 17, 2011 at 2:31 AM

    What an awesome place! We love that natural water dish in the rock! How convenient!

    Love ya lots,
    Maggie and Mitch

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  6. LeighOctober 17, 2011 at 4:04 AM

    We enjoyed your story Wyatt and the pictures - seems like you live in a very historic place there. I'm sure they must have had dogs. A house is not a home without a dog or two - or five in our case :-)love from Magic x

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  7. Angels Amber and Max DaWeenie and MomOctober 17, 2011 at 4:39 AM

    Wonderful story and it must be great living by such a piece of American history. I also wonder why they didn't get the kids. Strange, huh?

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  8. Angels Amber and Max DaWeenie and MomOctober 17, 2011 at 4:40 AM

    PeeS....That cabin is in pretty good condition considered it isn't nailed together. Too bad they can't build the homes of today like that.

    :o(

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  9. Thor and JackOctober 17, 2011 at 5:40 AM

    Hi Wyatt! Hi Stanzie! What a great story! That place looks cool!
    Glad to see you again guys!

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  10. houndstoothOctober 17, 2011 at 5:42 AM

    What a cool place! I'm kind of surprised they never sent for their human puppies, but then again, they can be kind of a pain. Thanks for sharing the cool history with us!

    Bunny

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  11. AnonymousOctober 17, 2011 at 6:08 AM

    Thanks for the history lesson, Wyatt!

    Happy, Waggin' Tails, FUREVER!
    Stumpy and me

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  12. Frankie Furter and ErnieOctober 17, 2011 at 6:16 AM

    WONDERFUL POST Wyatt. My mom was all SQUEEEEEEE over it. She really liked the hole formed in the rock from Self Grinding the nuts and grains... THAT is how it was done when there was no grist mill in the area.. like what the mill stones that I showed on MY Blog... funny how we are both kinda on a THEME here.
    THANKS fur showing and telling us about your area. LOVE IT!!

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  13. SageOctober 17, 2011 at 6:23 AM

    Loved your tour, Wyatt & Stanzie! We like places like that, but haven't been there yet.

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  14. ♥♥ The OP Pack ♥♥October 17, 2011 at 6:36 AM

    Cool place, Wyatt. We loved seeing how that cabin was put together. We would have enjoyed seeing that butter churn in action - butter, yummers.

    But we are mystified as to how the Bakers were able to leave behind their children.

    Woos ~ Phantom, Thunder, Ciara, and Lightning

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  15. Two French BulldogsOctober 17, 2011 at 6:59 AM

    That sure was an interesting post
    Benny & Lily

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  16. Kari in AlaskaOctober 17, 2011 at 8:11 AM

    Nothing wrong with running away from the kids ;)

    Kari
    dogisgodinreverse.com

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  17. ScooterOctober 17, 2011 at 8:14 AM

    Hey Wyatt!
    Wow, what a neat place! That cabin sure is sturdy. The kids must have been rotten! BOL
    Grr and Woof,
    Sarge, COP

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  18. Brinley WestieOctober 17, 2011 at 11:12 AM

    They never went back for their kids???

    Yikes!!

    Thanks for the interesting post and wunderfur pics!!

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  19. Two Pitties in the CityOctober 17, 2011 at 11:21 AM

    And we know how far Illinois is from Oregan! I love seeing these types of things, and especially that you guys were able to go. Oregan Trail was my favorite computer game in elementary school.

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  20. juleeOctober 17, 2011 at 1:27 PM

    Never went to get the kids?????? WOW, some parents. Good thing they didn't have doggies.
    Thanks for the info.
    Violet

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  21. Baby Rocket Dog and HootieOctober 17, 2011 at 2:09 PM

    What a cool place! Those Bakers were pretty sly leaving the 7kids behind...All the fun and none of the responsibility! They probably didn't want to have to build a house with soooo many bedrooms. BOL.
    Smooches from pooches,
    BRD & HOotie

    ps-One of the toys we won from you is still 'alive'. The others bit the dust.

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  22. AnonymousOctober 17, 2011 at 3:16 PM

    What a grrreat post Wyatt and Stanzie! Epecially the butter churn. Did ya find some butter Stanzie?

    woos, Tessa

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  23. The Daily Pip October 17, 2011 at 6:56 PM

    Well, I can see why they never went back to Illinois ...it is much prettier out there in Oregon!

    Your pal, Pip

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  24. TookiOctober 19, 2011 at 5:02 AM

    Thank you for such an interesting tour, Wyatt! But a bit sad to know that they never went back for their children....and probably dogs....:(

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