Preserving the past
The Fort Rock Valley Historical Society, founded in 1984 with eight charter members, conceived the Homestead Village which opened in 1988 with two buildings, the Webster cabin and Dr. Thom's office. In the ensuing years more land was acquired from the BLM and more buildings were brought in from surrounding homestead sites. Many of the buildings were considered hazardous to open range cattle and were scheduled to be put to the torch.
Since that time, several more homes, a church and school have been moved to the village as well as pieces of vintage equipment. As this is an ongoing project, more structures and historical pieces will be added in the future.
Without the dedication and perseverance of the Fort Rock Historical Society's members there would be very little evidence of the life and times of this chapter in Oregon history.
"History is not what's remembered, but what remains after everything else is forgotten..."
Rich Cohen, "Pirate City" from The Paris Review. Reprinted by permission in "The Best American Travel Writing, 2013." Elizabeth Gilbert editor; Jason Wilson series editor.
Site Directory
The Book
Village Buildings
Fort Rock Natural Area
Portraits: Fort Rock Valley Homestead Years
Hole in the Ground
Fort Rock Natural Area
Crack in the Ground
A maar, a volcanic crater formed by steam explosions
