The Old McKenzie Fish Hatchery was used to raise

trout Trout are species of freshwater fish belonging to the genera '' Oncorhynchus'', '' Salmo'' and '' Salvelinus'', all of the subfamily Salmoninae of the family Salmonidae. The word ''trout'' is also used as part of the name of some non-salm ...

and

salmon Salmon () is the common name for several commercially important species of euryhaline ray-finned fish from the family Salmonidae, which are native to tributaries of the North Atlantic (genus ''Salmo'') and North Pacific (genus '' Oncorhy ...

for release into the McKenzie River in western

Oregon Oregon () is a state in the Pacific Northwest region of the Western United States. The Columbia River delineates much of Oregon's northern boundary with Washington, while the Snake River delineates much of its eastern boundary with Idaho. T ...

in the

United States The United States of America (U.S.A. or USA), commonly known as the United States (U.S. or US) or America, is a country primarily located in North America. It consists of 50 states, a federal district, five major unincorporated territori ...

. It is located near the

unincorporated Unincorporated may refer to: * Unincorporated area, land not governed by a local municipality * Unincorporated entity, a type of organization * Unincorporated territories of the United States, territories under U.S. jurisdiction, to which Congress ...

community of Vida in Lane County. The hatchery is closed, however, the historic site is now a county park. It is also listed on the

National Register of Historic Places The National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) is the United States federal government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures and objects deemed worthy of preservation for their historical significance or "great artistic ...

History

On March 6, 1907, the

State of Oregon Oregon () is a state in the Pacific Northwest region of the Western United States. The Columbia River delineates much of Oregon's northern boundary with Washington, while the Snake River delineates much of its eastern boundary with Idah ...

purchased land along the McKenzie River between Leaburg and Vida for a fish hatchery. The state paid $518.07 for the land. The original hatchery building was built by C.J. Buley. The facility was opened on May 11, 1907. The hatchery superintendent's house and other support buildings were also constructed at about the same time. The original hatchery building was replaced in 1928, but the superintendent's residence and several other original buildings still exist at the site."Hatchery Fact", Interpretive sign, Old McKenzie Fish Hatchery, Lane County Park, Eugene, Oregon, July 25, 2008."Leaburg to Vida"
, Welcome to the McKenzie River Valley, McKenzie River Reflections Newspaper (online), McKenzie Bridge, Oregon, September 5, 2008. The hatchery facilities were used by the State of Oregon to grow trout and salmon until the early 1950s. Over the years, it grew to be a large operation. In 1951, the hatchery collected 1,530,560 fish eggs for breeding. The state then decided to replace the old hatchery with a modern production facility. Between 1952 and 1953, the entire hatchery operation was moved to a new facility about a half-mile downstream from the original site adjacent to the Leaburg Dam. The old hatchery was closed in 1953. In 1986, Lane County commissioned a study to determine if the abandoned hatchery site should be developed. The study found that the old McKenzie hatchery had historic and natural value, and recommended that the site be developed as a public park. Because of its unique architecture and importance to the history of the McKenzie River Valley, the Old McKenzie Fish Hatchery was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1996. In 2007, the Lane County Parks Advisory Committee endorsed a plan to expand the facilities at the site of the historic fish hatchery to include a small museum and an interpretive center.

County park

Today, the Old McKenzie Fish Hatchery is a park operated by Lane County. The historic site has eight main buildings and seven minor structures. The main hatchery buildings have been renovated, and are used as an

environmental education Environmental education (EE) refers to organized efforts to teach how natural environments function, and particularly, how human beings can manage behavior and ecosystems to live sustainably. It is a multi-disciplinary field integrating discip ...

center. There are interpretive signs on the grounds that describe hatchery operations and highlight some remaining artifacts. It is also home to the McKenzie River Chamber of Commerce Information Center. Because it is located just off Highway 126 (also known as the McKenzie River Highway), the hatchery is a popular rest stop for travelers. At the site, there are

picnic tables A picnic table (or picnic bench) is a table with benches (often attached), designed for working with and for outdoor dining. The term is often specifically associated with rectangular tables having an A-frame structure. Such tables may be referr ...

, restrooms, drinking water, and parking. In addition, the facilities meet all the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act. The Friends of the Old McKenzie Fish Hatchery work with the Lane County Parks Division to develop and maintain the historic site. According to its charter, the group was established to "''perpetuate and maintain the Old McKenzie Fish Hatchery to achieve the highest quality for the public benefit; to enhance the historic features of the property…to encourage use of the site for educational purposes, and to provide facilities for the public enjoyment and use of its natural and historic features.''""Friends of the Old McKenzie Fish Hatchery"
Community and Partners, Lane County Park Facilities and Services, Parks Division, Public Works Department, Lane County Government, Eugene, Oregon, September 5, 2008.

References

External links

*{{commons category-inline Buildings and structures in Lane County, Oregon National Register of Historic Places in Lane County, Oregon Historic districts on the National Register of Historic Places in Oregon Parks in Lane County, Oregon County parks in Oregon Education in Lane County, Oregon 1928 establishments in Oregon Fish hatcheries in the United States Agricultural buildings and structures in Oregon

History

County park

See also

References

External links