Collier Park, Oregon, Logging Museum

 

Driving in Southern Oregon, half an hour north of Klamath Falls on Hwy 97, 

the sign Collier Logging Museum made me stop in my tracks. 

A small park was open that allowed to see the logging equipment of roughly 200 years.

The Collier Logging Museum was established by the Collier brothers from the beginning.

The Collier family’s business ventures had left them with a large collection of antique logging equipment.

In 1947 they donated the first machines that would eventually be part 

of one of the largest logging equipment collections in the country.

The museum’s reputation as a haven for logging equipment grew over the years, 

and the donations rolled in. Alfred Collier continued to source new pieces for the 

museum until he died in 1988.

Several cabins are sprinkled between the logging machines, 

such as the Doctors' cabin, the homesteader's cabin and barn, 

the sheepherder's cabin, and a general store.

A self-guided walk with plenty of signs describes the history of logging 

and the tools and machines used.

Collier is home to the largest collection of historic logging equipment 

in Oregon and perhaps in the nation.

                The Collier Memorial State Park features a campground, 

              sn outdoor museum of historic logging equipment, relocated 

                      pioneer village and a new four-corral, primitive horse camp and trailhead.

                              Railroad buffs will enjoy learning about the role the railroad played in logging. 

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The arrival of the Southern Pacific Railroad in 1909 to southern Oregon transformed

 the area’s logging industry; Oregon’s timber could now be easily shipped nationwide. 

As a result, investments in rail-based logging equipment increased dramatically.

Milling machines were complex machinery that cut the logs into viable lumber pieces. 

Jagged-toothed band-saw blades were used for larger cuts while circular saw blades 

sawed the logs into smaller cuts. The park’s historic band-saw mill operated from 1930 until 1980.

If you travel in this area, stop by, leave your car, and enjoy 
a leisurely walk in the fresh air of the forest.

 

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