Smith Homestead-Metolius: Difference between revisions

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|name=Smith Homestead-Metolius
|name=Smith Homestead-Metolius
|location=Sisters RD, Deschutes NF
|location=Sisters RD, Deschutes NF
|tree_count=2
|species_breakdown=2 apple
|variety_count=2
}}
}}


== History ==
== History ==
The Smith Homestead-Metolius orchard is located on the '''Sisters Ranger District''' of the '''Deschutes National Forest''', in the Lower Metolius River area of Central Oregon.
=== The Smith Family Homestead ===
The Smith Homestead-Metolius orchard was established by '''William F. Smith''' and his wife '''Katie''' (née Catherine). William was born in Louisiana around '''1844''', and Katie was born in Illinois around '''1855'''. The couple came to Central Oregon around '''1910''' and homesteaded along with their two children, '''Elva''' and '''Oliver'''.


=== Historical Context ===
=== Site Location ===
The Metolius River corridor has a distinct history of early exploration by trappers, homesteading, early recreation use, Civilian Conservation Corps activities, and early Forest Service administration that is unique within the region. The area is recognized as having sites eligible for the National Register of Historic Places.<ref>National Wild and Scenic Rivers System, Metolius River</ref>
According to historical records, the Smith Cabin was located along the southern bank of the Metolius River, just north of Green Ridge and near the northern portion of the Horn of the Metolius. The homestead site is identified as '''T10S R10E Section 29'''. The Smiths had to pack everything into the homestead site on horseback at first, as the site was nearly inaccessible. They built their cabin on a flat area with a small meadow known as '''Smith Flat'''.


Old Metsker maps (hand-drawn maps of Oregon produced in the 1980s and 1990s) reference a "Smith Cabin Historical Site" in the Lower Metolius area, indicating a homestead presence, though detailed records of the original Smith family settlers remain limited.<ref>"Lower Metolius River" blog post, Off the Beaten Trail PDX</ref> A photograph in the project archives titled "Smith Cabin Metolius background" confirms the historical significance of this site.
=== Life at the Homestead ===
'''Elva Smith''' was a school teacher who taught at the '''Warm Springs Reservation''' during the week. She would cross the swift-moving Metolius on horseback to return home on weekends. A primitive log foot bridge crossed the river near the Smith Cabin.


=== Homesteading Era ===
Elva also filed a homestead claim at this site and patented her claim on '''December 19, 1921'''. The original cabins burned during a forest fire in '''1931'''. The property remained in the family until '''1950''' when it was sold to timber interests. There are still a few surviving fruit trees located at the homestead site.
Homesteading in the Metolius area began in earnest in the early 1900s. Bureau of Land Management records show that nearby El Rancho was patented on July 2, 1915 to Carl T. Hubbard, with applications dating prior to 1910.<ref>"Oregon's Sisters Country" by Raymond R. Hatton</ref> The Smith Homestead likely dates to this same homesteading era. The area's opportunities for homestead claims ended when President Grover Cleveland established the surrounding land as a federal forest preserve in 1893, making any private land holdings from that period particularly significant.


Access to homesteads in the Lower Metolius was extremely limited in early days, often only by pack trail. The rugged terrain and difficult access contributed to the isolation of these early settlers, but also helped preserve their orchards long after the homesteads were abandoned.
=== The Orchard Today ===
Two heritage apple trees survive at the Smith Homestead-Metolius site:
* '''Tree #163''' - DNA-identified as '''[[Grimes Golden]]''', a famous American heritage variety discovered in West Virginia around 1830
* '''Tree #164''' - A '''unique variety''' ([[UAF5]]) matching samples from other regional orchards including [[Cyrus Horse Camp]]


=== Cultural Heritage ===
''Sources: "Oregon's Sisters Country" by Raymond R. Hatton (page 244); USDA-ARS-AFRS DNA analysis 2024; National Wild and Scenic Rivers System - Metolius River''
The Metolius River is a sacred place for the Wasco, Warm Springs, and Northern Paiute of the Confederated Tribes of the Warm Springs, who have hunted, gathered, and fished from the river for thousands of years before Euro-American settlement.<ref>Oregon Encyclopedia, "Metolius River"</ref>


=== DNA Analysis ===
== Orchard Map ==
The orchard's apple trees were sampled for DNA analysis as part of the Central Oregon Heritage Fruit Tree Project. Results identified:
* '''Grimes Golden''' - A famous American heritage variety discovered in West Virginia circa 1830, believed to be a parent of Golden Delicious. Known for its rich, spicy, tangy flavor.
* '''UAF5''' - A unique genetic profile matching samples from multiple other heritage orchards in the region (AFRS-013 from Cyrus Horse Camp, AFRS-116, and AMOR-104), suggesting this variety was widely distributed among early homesteaders in Central Oregon.


=== Preservation Status ===
{{#ask: [[Has orchard::Smith Homestead-Metolius]] [[Has coordinates::+]]
The orchard is located on National Forest System land administered by the Sisters Ranger District and is part of ongoing heritage fruit tree preservation efforts in the Deschutes National Forest.
|?Has coordinates
 
|?Has field tag
''Further historical research is ongoing. The Camp Sherman Historical Society and Jefferson County Historical Society may hold additional records about the Smith family homesteaders.''
|?Has condition
 
|format=leaflet
=== References ===
|height=400px
<references />
|width=100%
 
|zoom=15
 
|scrollwheelzoom=off
{{Condition summary|orchard=Smith Homestead-Metolius}}
}}
 
The '''Smith Homestead-Metolius''' orchard contains 2 documented heritage fruit trees.


== Trees ==
== Trees ==


=== Unknown Condition ===
{{Orchard tree list|orchard=Smith Homestead-Metolius}}
{{Orchard tree list|orchard=Smith Homestead-Metolius|condition=unknown}}
 


== Varieties ==
== Varieties ==

Latest revision as of 12:10, 5 February 2026

Smith Homestead-Metolius
Location Sisters RD, Deschutes NF
Tree Count 5
Species 4 apple,1 pear
Varieties 2 identified


History

The Smith Family Homestead

The Smith Homestead-Metolius orchard was established by William F. Smith and his wife Katie (née Catherine). William was born in Louisiana around 1844, and Katie was born in Illinois around 1855. The couple came to Central Oregon around 1910 and homesteaded along with their two children, Elva and Oliver.

Site Location

According to historical records, the Smith Cabin was located along the southern bank of the Metolius River, just north of Green Ridge and near the northern portion of the Horn of the Metolius. The homestead site is identified as T10S R10E Section 29. The Smiths had to pack everything into the homestead site on horseback at first, as the site was nearly inaccessible. They built their cabin on a flat area with a small meadow known as Smith Flat.

Life at the Homestead

Elva Smith was a school teacher who taught at the Warm Springs Reservation during the week. She would cross the swift-moving Metolius on horseback to return home on weekends. A primitive log foot bridge crossed the river near the Smith Cabin.

Elva also filed a homestead claim at this site and patented her claim on December 19, 1921. The original cabins burned during a forest fire in 1931. The property remained in the family until 1950 when it was sold to timber interests. There are still a few surviving fruit trees located at the homestead site.

The Orchard Today

Two heritage apple trees survive at the Smith Homestead-Metolius site:

  • Tree #163 - DNA-identified as Grimes Golden, a famous American heritage variety discovered in West Virginia around 1830
  • Tree #164 - A unique variety (UAF5) matching samples from other regional orchards including Cyrus Horse Camp

Sources: "Oregon's Sisters Country" by Raymond R. Hatton (page 244); USDA-ARS-AFRS DNA analysis 2024; National Wild and Scenic Rivers System - Metolius River

Orchard Map

Loading map...

Trees

Varieties

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