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A Crook County Historical Moment
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Wetweather Spring was
located on the old wagon road
south from Bend to Silver
Lake and later to Rosland and
LaPine. It was between Bend
and Lava Butte about eight
miles south of Bend. It was a
popular stopping point for
teamsters to and from Bend
and points south as they
watered their stock. It was an
opportunity to share news with
fellow teamsters or other
travelers as they socialized
around a roaring campfire.
located on the old wagon road
south from Bend to Silver
Lake and later to Rosland and
LaPine. It was between Bend
and Lava Butte about eight
miles south of Bend. It was a
popular stopping point for
teamsters to and from Bend
and points south as they
watered their stock. It was an
opportunity to share news with
fellow teamsters or other
travelers as they socialized
around a roaring campfire.
The spring yielded water throughout the year and in wet seasons an overflow resulted and the spring
was named for the abundance of water during the wet season. During the winter months the spring
was an important stopping place for stage operators. It was at this point that some of the south bound
operators changed rigs and coaches to sleds for travel over the snow on stage routes. Northbound
operators would switch from sleds to coaches or wagons at the snow line.
In the early years the spring was boxed and provided clear and cold water to weary travelers and
their stock. Aune brothers located a logging camp at the spring site and operated at the site for a few
years.
It appears that the spring served as a turning around point for social groups traveling for pleasure
from Bend. Even when the first autos arrived a gathering of people drove south to the spring and
returned to Bend on an outing. All early travelers found time to stop at the spring when traveling
south from Bend or north from points south. Early motorists were not in as big of a hurry as modern
drivers and enjoyed the opportunity to visit with fellow travelers.
The main wagon road passed by the spring but eventually The Dalles to California Highway (Highway
97) was constructed and bypassed the spring as it was no longer a necessary stop for autos as it was
for horses. The rise of the automobile and a its fast paced traffic flow reduced the popularity of the
spring. Later the once productive spring dried up and old timers believed it was due to the
underground feeder for the spring was obstructed by construction of the railroad grade south of Bend.
Campfires no longer flicker at the edge of the spring and the ghosts of numerous travelers of the past
are all that remain of one of the most popular stopping points in Central Oregon.
was named for the abundance of water during the wet season. During the winter months the spring
was an important stopping place for stage operators. It was at this point that some of the south bound
operators changed rigs and coaches to sleds for travel over the snow on stage routes. Northbound
operators would switch from sleds to coaches or wagons at the snow line.
In the early years the spring was boxed and provided clear and cold water to weary travelers and
their stock. Aune brothers located a logging camp at the spring site and operated at the site for a few
years.
It appears that the spring served as a turning around point for social groups traveling for pleasure
from Bend. Even when the first autos arrived a gathering of people drove south to the spring and
returned to Bend on an outing. All early travelers found time to stop at the spring when traveling
south from Bend or north from points south. Early motorists were not in as big of a hurry as modern
drivers and enjoyed the opportunity to visit with fellow travelers.
The main wagon road passed by the spring but eventually The Dalles to California Highway (Highway
97) was constructed and bypassed the spring as it was no longer a necessary stop for autos as it was
for horses. The rise of the automobile and a its fast paced traffic flow reduced the popularity of the
spring. Later the once productive spring dried up and old timers believed it was due to the
underground feeder for the spring was obstructed by construction of the railroad grade south of Bend.
Campfires no longer flicker at the edge of the spring and the ghosts of numerous travelers of the past
are all that remain of one of the most popular stopping points in Central Oregon.
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A.R. Bowman Memorial Museum
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See the drop
down menu at
the top of the
page for more
local stories
of Prineville's
colorful past.
down menu at
the top of the
page for more
local stories
of Prineville's
colorful past.
Use the drop down menu for more local stories of Prineville's colorful past.
