Culp Creek

Population: (2020) 381

Schools
Granges
Churches
Fire Stations
Chamber of Commerce

History: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Culp_Creek,_Oregon

Culp Creek is a tributary stream of the Row River, and was named for settler John Culp just before 1900.[4] A logging camp was established in the area and named Culp Creek Camp, so when a new post office was set up in 1925, it was named Culp Creek after the camp.[4] The community's economy was long driven by the logging industry, including the Bohemia, Inc. sawmill that ran from 1959 until about 1990, just across the river.[5][6][7] Bohemia was headquartered in Culp Creek until it was bought by Willamette Industries in 1991.[8][9] At one time, there were over 20 mills along the Row River.[10] The Oregon, Pacific and Eastern Railway (OP&E) line was built through Culp Creek in the early 1900s to ship ore, timber, supplies and passengers.[11] Today the former OP&E line has been converted into a rail trail that opened in 1997,[9] the Row River National Recreation Trail, which ends just past Culp Creek.[10] Culp Creek's only store closed shortly after the closure of the mill.[5] In 1926, Buster Keaton filmed the climax of the silent film The General on the OP&E line near Culp Creek.[7] Keaton spent $40,000 to build a temporary trestle over the Row River. During the scene, the bridge was set on fire and collapsed just as a locomotive passed over it. The remains of the bridge and locomotive were left in the river for 15 years, until they were removed in 1941 for scrap metal.[12] Culp Creek post office closed in 2009;[13] the community's mail is now addressed to Dorena.[14]

References