Sherar's Bridge Area

The board gives the fishing one clause and moves on to the bridge, but the falls just upstream are why the crossing mattered. Sherars Falls drops the Deschutes through a basalt slot, and people of the Tygh village of Tilxni dipnetted salmon there from wooden platforms built out over the water. Warm Springs tribal members still do, and only they may fish from the platforms. John Todd's 1860 bridge washed out and was rebuilt; Joseph Sherar paid $7,040 for it in 1871 and spent far more on the toll roads to either side. His hotel burned in 1938.

What the plaque says

Oregon History Sherar's Bridge Area This area of the Deschutes River has been a river crossing and fishing location for thousands of years. Peter Skene Ogden made note of an Indian camp and bridge when he crossed here in 1826. Early pioneers using the Meek Cutoff and Cutoff to the Barlow Road passed here on their way to The Dalles and the Willamette Valley. John Todd built a bridge in 1860 and in 1868 a post office was established. In 1871 Joseph Sherar bought the bridge, improved the road leading to it and built a 13 room hotel and out buildings that were later used as a stage station. Thousands of people used this crossing to reach the gold mines and ranches of Central Oregon.

Where it stands

More markers nearby

• Cutoff to the Barlow Road — 14 mi
• The Dalles to Canyon City Wagon Road — 29 mi