This location is where the Oregonian
Railway (East side line) crossed the Santiam River linking West
Stayton with Shelburn. The line was opened in 1890, the river
crossing was abandoned in 1963. There is clear evidence of the old
bridge across this raging river. There are caisson type pilings on
either side of the river. There is also the old bridge abutment
that is visible.
The Railroad stretched from
Woodburn to Springfield along the eastern side of the Willamette
Valley. Southern Pacific Railroad took over this line early on.
Portions of this line still exist. From Woodburn to just short of
West Stayton, the Willamette Valley Railway operates this line.
Then from Shelburn to Lebanon, the Albany & Eastern operates
that portion. At the junction of Hess Road and Shelburn Road was a
major railroad junction. The line from Mill City (still here) comes
in from the east, it used to continue to the west to Albany, and
the Oregonian went North-South. Now just the east and southern legs
of this junction still exist.
The location of the former RR river
crossing is now a county park, Buell Miller Landing. It is a boat
ramp, but not recommended with the fast currents, and there are no
takeouts down river.
Some warnings about the location.
The cache is NOT near the river. The river is very swift by the
boat launch during the winter months. The chance of flooding is
high, hence why the cache is at higher ground. As this is remote
county park and the River current, I do not recommend to cache at
night here, plus the neighbors might be suspicious. Recommend only
caching dawn to dusk, and be aware of the blackberry brambles that
are everywhere.
The cache is a ammo can. FTF prize
is a SAGA coin (non-trackable) and $1 bill. Please feel free to add
photos of this location. It is quite nice!