KAM WAH CHUNG STATE HERITAGE SITE AT JOHN Day and SUMPTER VALLEY STATE HERITAGE AREA

Continuing east, now along the Elkhorn Scenic Byway we called in at John Day and had a private tour (we were the only ones there!) round Kam Wah Chung State Heritage site. Once a prosperous Gold Rush town, the Chinese came to find work. Two men stayed on after the Rush, one a doctor, the other a businessman and made John Day their home. When they died their business was left untouched for about 20 years, discovered and preserved by the state. It was a fascinating visit. 

RATTLESNAKE & BATS WINGS MEDICINE ANYONE?

THE PHARMACY - NOTE THE BEAR PAW - WONDER WHAT THAT CURED?

Our next stop was at the Sumpter Valley Dredge Heritage area. We have seen dredges before in Alaska, we had a look inside this one - Roy found it real interesting! 
It was good to see that the surrounding area was finally recovering - the dredge destroyed the land - turning it upside down. We were talking to a couple of men who were repairing the dredge and he said deer, beaver, elk, bear and cougar had returned. I asked if there was still gold - yes - he said a child had picked up a goose egg size of gold the other day found just on top of the tailings.  He had not had any luck despite living there for 35 years.