Oregon’s Silver Falls State Park: A Jewel Saved by a Photographer
Around 1811 fur trappers following beaver up creeks were the first non-native people to discover Silver Falls. Silver Falls is the largest state park in Oregon and hosts a million visitors per year. The park boasts a 7 mile hike with 10 waterfalls, including 4 that you can walk behind, the tallest of which cascades 178 feet.
In 1931 local photographer June Drake led the charge to purchase land around the waterfalls, and 2 years later Silver Falls became a state park. In following years the Civilian Conservation Corps repaired and replanted the surrounding forest damaged by relentless logging, and built trails, bridges, and the beautiful historic stone and timber-frame South Falls Lodge.
Lower South Falls, 2024, set of 2
Middle North Falls, 2024
South Falls, 2024, set of 3
Lower South Falls, 2024, set of 2
North Falls, 2024, set of 2
North Falls, 2024, set of 2
South Falls, 2024, set of 3
South Falls, 2024, set of 3
Works Cited
“Silver Falls State Park History.” Willamettevalley.org, www.willamettevalley.org/silver-falls-state-park-history. Accessed 10 June 2024.
“Silver Falls State Park.” Www.oregonencyclopedia.org, www.oregonencyclopedia.org/articles/silver_falls_state_park/. Accessed 10 June 2024.
Silver Falls History: A Chronological Story.
“Silver Falls State Park - Oregon State Parks.” Stateparks.oregon.gov, stateparks.oregon.gov/index.cfm?do=park.profile&parkId=151.
