HistoriCorps wraps up historic restoration project on Crooked River National Grassland
PRINEVILLE, Ore. (KTVZ) -- In a significant effort to preserve a piece of Oregon's natural and cultural heritage, HistoriCorps, Inc., in partnership with the Ochoco National Forest and Crooked River National Grassland, have begun restoring the historic Field Headquarters, located along Highway 26 in the Rimrock Springs Wildlife Management Area.
Established in 1960, the Crooked River National Grassland covers over 100,000 acres in Central Oregon and has long been a vital part of the region's ecosystem and cultural landscape. Historically, this area served as an essential location for hunting, grazing and agriculture, influenced by American Indian Tribes and later European settlers.
The Field Headquarters, developed in the 1930s, includes a machine shop, equipment shed, and barn for livestock. This complex reflects the transition from agricultural use in the 19th century to a conservation-focused approach in the mid-20th century. In the millennia prior, Rimrock Springs was a persistent place for human settlement due to the reliable source of fresh water in an otherwise dry landscape.
In recent years, the headquarters was listed on the National Register of Historic Places, recognizing its historical, archaeological, and architectural significance. This acknowledgment spurred the repair and building maintenance efforts, led by HistoriCorps, a nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving historic structures across the United States and providing experience-based learning opportunities for people of all ages.
"I am thrilled with the restoration project and our collaboration with HistoriCorps,” said Slater Turner, Grassland & Lookout Mountain District Ranger. “This project allows us to preserve the historic value of the site, while reinforcing its value in the present with its transformation into our new Wild Horse Adoption Center."
The restoration work at the Field Headquarters has focused on repairing the sliding garage doors, siding, trim, and windows of the Machine Shop. The team is also replacing the cedar shingle roof. The wood structure was originally built using earlier wood elements covered with newspaper, possibly salvaged from area homesteads.
"The success of this restoration project underscores the U.S. Forest Service commitment to preserving the historical and cultural heritage of the region," said Anne Dowd, Ochoco National Forest & Crooked River National Grassland Forest Archaeologist, Heritage and Tribal Relations Program Manager.
"The dedication and expertise of HistoriCorps and its volunteers, including High Desert Conservation Corps youth groups, have been invaluable in ensuring these historic structures remain a testament to the area's rich history. The partnership is special because there is tremendous value in fostering the relationships that develop between the public who volunteer or staff HistoriCorps projects, and the U.S. Forest Service, while forging new friendships and making a lasting contribution to historic preservation."
The partnership between HistoriCorps and the Ochoco National Forest and Crooked River National Grassland highlights the importance of collaborative efforts in conservation and preservation. Next the plan is to restore the 1939 Equipment Shed opposite the 1937 Machine Shop.
For more information on the restoration project, visit the HistoriCorps project page https://historicorps.org/crooked-river-national-grasslands-field-headquarters-or-2024/ and for more information on the Ochoco National Forest and Crooked River National Grassland visit https://www.fs.usda.gov/ochoco.
