Archaeological Society of Central Oregon upcoming events

Title: Pleistocene Mammal Rubs and Chinese Gold Rush Trails in the High Desert (16 May 2026)

Sat, 16 May 2026 15:30:00 GMT

Pleistocene Mammal Rubs and Chinese Gold Rush Trails in the High Desert

Leader: John K. Zancanella

Registration begins at 8:30am on Monday, May 4, 2026.

Field Trip Date/Time: Saturday May 16th , 8:30am muster at

Barnes & Noble parking lot on east side of town. Depart parking

lot at 9:00am. Approximately 1:10 hours, with stop at Brother

RA, to reach Hampton Station. Folks can drive their own

vehicles to Hampton Station, but we’ll want to consolidate

vehicles as much as possible before heading to the site area.

Takes another ½ hour to reach the site across unmaintained

dirt roads. High clearance vehicles are recommended (it will be

dusty with some vegetation in the center). Estimated time at

the site is around 2 hours. Return time to B&N parking lot

between 2-4pm.

Field Trip Description: The tour will focus on the Pleistocene

mammal rubs which we can drive to. Minimal walking is

involved. The sandy conditions make for loose uneven ground,

but the slope is negligible. Large sagebrush is common along

the cliff face where the rubs occur. We’ll need to be careful of

ticks and rattlesnakes while walking near the cliffs.

The Chinese gold rush trail is several hundred yards to the east

and is an easy walk along the extinct lake shore. To reach the

road segment a short, staircase-like scramble up a low rock

face and a low wire-fence step-over is required. There will be

assistance at this location. Here we’ll view the Chinese road

where tons of lava rock was moved to create a path the rocky

terrain. There is a short hike up the road to reach the top of the

ridge to view the surrounding landscape. We’ve observed

rattlesnakes at this location so be aware of where you walk, sit

or reach.

This will conclude the tour. Return to Hampton Station and

members can return to the B&N parking area.

Mobility considerations: Mammal Rubs shouldn’t be a problem.

Accessing the Chinese road could present issues for some.

Alternatively, there is a second, less well-pronounced Chinese

constructed road segment we drive by on the way to the rubs.

What to bring: Sturdy footwear is recommended for this tour

along with a hat, water, sunscreen, walking sticks as needed,

and a lunch/snack. Dress appropriately for variable weather

conditions (*If conditions are too wet, we’ll not be able to reach

the site location.). There are no bathrooms once you leave Brothers RA, only

sagebrush!

Contact for questions:

Email: zanc48@gmail.com; 541-410-4836

The Civilian Conservation Corps in Oregon- A Living Legacy- by Glenn Voelz (21 May 2026)

Fri, 22 May 2026 00:30:00 GMT

Glenn Voelz served as an intelligence officer for twenty-five years in the Army and spent over a decade living and working in Asia, Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. He held senior leadership positions at the Pentagon on the Joint Chiefs of Staff, in the White House Situation Room, and at NATO headquarters in Brussels, Belgium. Glenn now lives in Central Oregon with his family.

During his career, Glenn served as an assistant professor of history at West Point. He has published over a dozen books and journal articles on a wide range of topics. His recent work focuses on Oregon history. Glenn is a professional ski patroller at the Mount Bachelor Nordic Center and a Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue volunteer. He serves on the board for the Deschutes County Historical Society and the Deschutes Historical Museum.

Amid the depths of the Great Depression, President Franklin D. Roosevelt formulated a bold plan to put millions of unemployed Americans to work and restore the nation’s public lands. Between 1933 and 1942, over 86,000 Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) enrollees worked on Oregon’s national forests, state parks, and tribal lands. Their labor transformed the landscape and created some of the state’s most beloved recreational areas.

The scale and scope of their accomplishments are staggering. In Oregon alone, the CCC built 50,000 miles of forest roads, 20,000 miles of trails, 3,000 acres of public campgrounds, 1,500 bridges, and hundreds of fire lookouts. CCC crews risked their lives fighting epic wildfires and restoring Oregon’s damaged forests.

Today, it’s almost impossible to travel around the state without encountering reminders of its legacy, from irrigation canals to ski lodges. This is the story of how they did it.

Come Along on the Oregon Trail (29 May 2026)

Fri, 29 May 2026 21:30:00 GMT

Who: ASCO’s Barlow Road field trip participants, other ASCO members, public

When: Friday, May 29th 2:30 p.m.-4:00ish

Where: Deschutes Historical Museum Library (129 NW Idaho Avenue, Bend)

Details: No reservations required, no cost to attend, seating is limited

Background:

Between 1841-1869 at least 350,000 people emigrated along the Oregon Trail, one of

history’s largest and longest peacetime migrations. This approximately 2,000-mile

journey was difficult and dangerous across unfamiliar prairies, deserts, rivers, and

mountains, with just a few forts to help along the way.

Presentation:

Join Lynda Paznokas (ASCO member) as she shares what it would have been like to

travel cross-country into territories unknown, the rationale behind those making the

journey West, and the reality of what they found there. Through photographs, journals,

and her own research Lynda will help clear up misconceptions about this fascinating

and complicated time in United States history. There will be a display of Oregon Trail

books to enjoy and a handout provided.

Presenter:

Lynda Paznokas’ interest in the Oregon Trail began when researching

her own family’s trailblazing history West. As a fourth grader she was

captured by the Oregon Trail stories her teacher brought to life and

later as a fourth grade teacher herself, having the opportunity to share

these stories with her own students. Over a decade she has

photographed the Oregon Trail from Missouri to Oregon, gaining a new

appreciation for the journey and historical complexities comprising this

moment in U.S. history. Lynda was a teacher and Elementary

Curriculum Specialist for the Bend-La Pine School District and has

taught future teachers at the university level. Her book, Pathways of

America: The Oregon Trail, assists educators, encouraging students to

develop a variety of critical thinking skills around this subject.

The Barlow Road Field Trip (19 Jun 2026)

Fri, 19 Jun 2026 16:00:00 GMT

The Barlow Road Field Trip

Summary: Lynda Paznokas and Leslie Olson will lead 20 participants along sections of the Barlow Road, the part of the Oregon Trail that followed the south side of Mt. Hood. Transportation will be by private car, starting and stopping for viewpoints and short hikes. Depending on weather and time, locations such as Laurel Hill, Tollgate, Grave of the Pioneer Woman, Summit Meadow, Still Creek, etc. will be included. We also will have a special presentation and tour at Philip Foster Farm in Eagle Creek, an exceptional location with historic buildings and costumed docents. At each location, Oregon Trail information will be given as well as pioneer journal quotes. Additional trip details will be given to the participants.

Registration will begin on April 20, Monday 9:00am.

Pre Trip Information:

We encourage participants to attend the following program to get an overview of the whole Oregon Trail. This free program is also available to all ASCO members and the public. No registration is needed.

"Come Along on the Oregon Trail"

Presentation by Lynda Paznokas, ASCO member

May 29, Friday, 2:30-4:00

Deschutes Historical Museum’s downstairs library

Trip Itinerary:

June 18: We recommend you stay at or near Government Camp that night. You may wish to stay at the Best Western Mt. Hood Inn: 503-272-3205 (direct number). It’s a busy hotel. Book early! A block of rooms was not available to be booked.

If you arrive early, we recommend visiting the Mt. Hood Cultural Center & Museum in Government Camp. Open every day 9:00-5:00. Donations accepted. (mthoodmuseum.org)

June 19: Tour leaves 9:00 a.m. from Best Western Mt. Hood Inn in Government Camp. The tour will end in the late afternoon at Government Camp.

Carpooling is your choice, of course, but the fewer cars the better.

June 20: Options:

Return home June 20 (or return home the early evening of June 19).

Explore Oregon Trail and historic sites west of Mt. Hood on your own. Information will be provided.

Explore lesser-known Barlow Road sites near Government Camp and east toward Dufur with Leslie and Lynda (some hiking, need a sense of adventure!)

Following your registration, the trip leaders will be in contact with you via e-mail. At that time, you will be asked if you will be:

carpooling with others or taking your own car. Carpooling is your choice, of course, but the fewer cars the better.

staying on the Mt. Hood area the night of June 18 OR driving from Central Oregon arriving early enough so you are ready to begin at 9:00 a.m.

Arriving early enough on June 18 to visit the Mt. Hood Cultural Center & Museum on your own.

Staying on June 20 to explore early Oregon historic sites west of Mt. Hood on your own OR exploring Barlow Road sites near Govenment Camp and east toward Dufur with Leslie and Lynda OR returning home June 19.

Attending the May 29 Oregon Trail presentation at the historical museum.

More detailed information will be e-mailed to participants but a few things to remember:

Before 9:00 on June 19, be sure you have a full tank of gas, clothes for the weather, sturdy shoes, water, a sack lunch, and snacks.

Each car needs a federal forest parking pass such as senior pass or NW Forest Pass.

Pets were on the Oregon Trail but won't be on our trip.

Questions? E-mail Lynda (lpaz@bendnet.com) or Leslie (leslieols@gmail.com)