Sulphur Springs of Benton County, Oregon

The school gardens, subject of my last post, were only one of several interesting items in the old Gazette Times column of March 15, 1935 entitled “Do You Remember?”  One that intrigued me was: “When Corvallis families camped out at Sulphur Springs for the summer”

Sulphur Springs is a mineral spring located north of Corvallis in OSU's McDonald Forest. The sulfurous water bubbles up and then flows into Soap Creek.

Researcher May Dasch at Sulpher Springs in 1986

Sulpher Springs marker in 1986. Photo by Mary K. Gallagher

John and Martha Ann Wiles settled near there in 1847 and began raising cattle. The area around the springs was described in a 1901 newspaper column as  having “...both timbered and bald mountains overlooking the valley, deep ravines through which flow clear trout streams bordered by luxurious moss and fern growths...countless waterfalls....” The surrounding area was more open than it is today, with many sections of grass savanna studded with Oregon white oak.

In the late 1800s and early 1900s, a visit to the springs required an all-day trip from the center of Corvallis.  The site provided a cool spot in the summer heat and people believed their health benefited from drinking water from the spring. Wiles let people camp there for free and allowed groups to hold picnics and other events.  For example, in September 1891, 160 people attended a celebration with E. F. Wiles, John's son, acting as master of ceremonies for a program featuring music and short addresses by three local men.  A July 4th celebration in 1894 featured a reading of the Declaration of Independence, and an oration.  Races followed after a picnic basket dinner.

By 1895, T. C. Baker had purchased the springs, which were then sometimes called “Baker Springs.”

Baker added a concrete fountain to the springs. He also built wooden benches surrounding it, swings, cabins, and eventually a two-story hotel. Visiting children could play with his farm animals and in the haymow. Adults played croquet and horseshoes.

By the teens, the site had become even more popular as people could now drive to the site. Periodically, there was talk of building a larger hotel and turning the site into a major resort, but that never happened.   During the 1930s, the Civilian Conservation Corps did create a 20-acre recreation site at the springs, building tables and benches for picnicking and trails for hiking. But then it fell it fell into disrepair. The old hotel burned down and, by 1939, “some miscreant placed a charge of explosives in the concrete and 'blowed it to pieces.'”  The fountain and many of the amenities have gone but the springs remain to this day.

Oregon State University acquired the land sometime between 1926 and 1942 as part of its McDonald Research Forest. Today, there is a short trail to the site from Soap Creek Road but camping is no longer allowed.

To get to the springs, drive north on Highland Drive and turn left at the juncture with Lewisburg Avenue, then veer right onto Sulphur Springs Road and left onto Soap Creek Road.  The springs are just past the intersection. 

By Martha Fraundorf, Volunteer for Benton County Historical Society, Philomath, Oregon