The History of Metolius, Oregon

The community of Metolius is located four miles north of Culver and four miles south of Madras. The area near Metolius was first settled by a colony of German Methodists who were drawn to the region by promotional articles written by railroad companies. The first church in northern old Crook County (Jefferson was still part of Crook County then) was built by the colony in the summer of 1903 and the church was dedicated on July 10, 1904. The town was platted in 1909 with land being brought from Dombrowe, Frank Smith, William Blanchard and others.

The town was laid out by promoter Volley D. Williamson. He built a large hotel, bank and several other buildings. When the Oregon Trunk railroad arrived in the area in 1911, a railroad station and a post office was established. The post office was established on January 14, 1911. The first postmaster was J.D. Maddux.

The name Metolius was suggested by Volley Williamson for its location about five miles east of the Metolius River. It is a Native American term for white fish or light-colored salmon.

The coming of the railroad brought many new settlers to the vicinity. The railroad division point was located at Metolius and a round house was located in the community. The roundhouse could accommodate 8 locomotives and there was a large crew of men to inspect and maintain locomotives. A well was drilled to meet the needs of the locomotives and to supply water to the city. It was also the refueling place for freight trains operating between Bend and The Dalles.

Metolius was first a tent city built for railroad construction workers then rapidly grew to a town of nearly 500 residents. Many new businesses were constructed including the newspaper Jefferson County Record, two merchandise stores, a hardware store and two banks. The town also had five gallons at one time and they all did a flourishing business. A large grain mill and elevator was constructed and ready to receive grain in 1916. It was considered the main economic asset of Metolius, and when it burned down in 1927, it was devastating to the small community.

The population reached about 1500 people by 1917 and the community thrived for several years but began to decline when Bend became the main railroad division point in the 1920's. The post office was discontinued on March 31, 1956, was reopened as a rural station of Madras, but then was again discontinued on March 31, 1974.

Metolius Railroad Depot

This depot currently is located east of the BNSF railroad line in Metolius. The 30 foot x 115 foot structure was completed on May 4, 1911. Metolius was the division point for both James Hills Oregon Trunk Railroad and Edward Harriman's Deschutes Railroad Company. After the depot and a roundhouse were built the community of Metolius began to prosper. Railroad passenger service began to decline in the late 1930's and the depot was mostly abandoned. The city of Metolius bought the depot for $1.00 from the Burlington Northern railroad in 1984 and moved it about 120 feet east on to city property. The depot is a historical site and is listed on the National Historic Register for buildings. It is used as a museum and community center. 

Metolius Train Depot, Present Day

Commemorative Sign at the Train Depot in Metolius, Oregon

Metolius Well 

The Metolius Well was located at the community of Metolius. It was drilled by the Oregon Trunk Railroad to provide water for steam engines on the newly constructed railroad in 1911. The railroad company prepared sites for the arrival of tracks so that a structure for operation was in place when the railroad construction arrived. A series of wells along the railroad route provided water from the railroad and also local communities and farmers. The Madras Pioneer reported on the Metolius Well on September 1, 1910:

Water at 677 feet was struck in the big well being drilled for the Oregon Trunk Railway last Tuesday at Metolius, four miles southwest of Madras. The water rose 30 feet in the well. There seems to be plentiful flow, as the drillers were unable to lower the water level by bailing the well with sand buckets at the rate of 10 gallons per minute for a considerable time. Although there appears to be a strong flow of water in the well the drilling is going right along just as though no water had been found. It's hard to learn much about this well. There is a sign up that reads, " This well is pretty damned deep. It's heading for China." This is the deepest well in Central Oregon. The hole was drilled with a 12 inch tool. The pumping problems will be an expensive one but the railroad company must have the water and is able to get it. 

The drilled continued and a week later it was reported to be at a depth of 876 feet. Some builders were encountered at that level and 10 inch steel casing had to be installed. 

Excerpt taken from: Central Oregon Place Names, Volume II Jefferson County, Steve Lent, Pages 164-168

Metolius Present Day

The city of Metolius is still going strong to this day, with a population of just over 700 people. Some local features include an elementary school, several restaurants and local businesses. The fourth Saturday of each month, there is a pancake breakfast at the historic train depot that is open to the public. Metolius hosts other events throughout the year including the Metolius Spike and Rail Celebration and Santa's Workshop. To learn more about Metolius CLICK HERE. 

Boozy Chocolate Lava Cakes with Whipped Cream

Happy First Week of February! It is officially the month of love, which I LOVE but also hate at the same time. I love the fact that people try and be kinder, show more romantic gestures and overall be nicer but I hate the fact that people need a special day to instigate these emotions and acts of kindness.

Travis and I went on our first date, (a blind one at that), at the beginning of January. Proudly carrying the status of single and independent lady for many years, obviously started to make me stress as Valentine's Day loomed closer.

"We have only been dating for a little over a MONTH!" "Wait, are we even dating?" "OMG...what if he is last guy I will ever date?" "What if he has some HUGE elaborate date planned?" "What if he doesn't have ANYTHING planned?"

Obviously my mind was spiraling out of control, so I decided to take matters into my own hands and tell him I didn't want to do ANYTHING for Valentine's Day because I didn't like the holiday. Little did I know that this completely hurt his feelings and I was selfishly not taking his into account. At the time, I had a stressful/emotionally draining job and Valentine's Day at work was no exception. Travis asked if I wanted to come over for lunch on my break so I agreed. When I showed up, I saw that he had made my lunch entirely into heart shapes...and then I felt like a total jerk. 

Over the years he has slowly chipped away at my tough exterior and made me grow to like Valentine's Day. While I still do not enjoy cheesy jewelry commercials or seeing everything doused in terrible shades of red and pink, I now realize the importance of doing something with the one(s) you love on Valentine's Day, even if those things should be done on a regular basis. So I challenge you all, don't be like old Katie. Embrace the holiday, overtime you will be glad you did.

One of the ways I like to show my love is by baking and cooking for others. These boozy chocolate lava cakes are guaranteed to show the chocolate and beer lover in your life how much you love them. The batter can be made up prior to baking and stored in the refrigerator. When you are ready for dessert, just pop your pan into the oven, wait 12 minutes and then enjoy! I promise you won't be disappointed and either will your loved one(s). Keep reading below for the full recipe.

Boozy Chocolate Lava Cakes with Whipped Cream

Cake Ingredients:

1/2 C. Bittersweet Chocolate  

1 Stick of Butter

 2 Whole Eggs + 2 Egg Yolks

1 tsp. Stout Extract

1 C. Powdered Sugar

1/2 C. All Purpose Flour

2 TBSP. Stout Extract

Pinch of Salt

1 Bottle of Stout Beer

Whipped Cream Ingredients:

2 C. Heavy Whipping Cream

1 tsp. Stout Extract

1/4 C. Powdered Sugar

Directions:

To make the stout extract, take one bottle of your favorite stout beer and pour into a small saucepan. Bring to a boil, and reduce to a simmer until the beer has reduced to a thick consistency, stirring occassionaly. Pour into a small container and place in refrigerator to cool and thicken. For the cakes, preheat oven to 400F. Melt bittersweet chocolate and butter in a microwave safe bowl until just melted, stirring gently. Next mix in eggs and stout extract. Fold in powdered sugar, flour and salt and stir until just combined. Scoop batter into a greased muffin tin. Bake for 10-12 minutes, until the edges are browned and set but the center is still soft. Remove from oven and let set one minute. Gently remove from pan and flip upside down onto a plate. Serve immediately with whipped cream. For whipped cream, beat together cream, sugar and extract until soft peaks form.

CLICK HERE for your FREE Recipe Card

The History of Vanora, Oregon

Vanora is a former railroad station and is located seven miles northwest of Madras along the east shore of the Deschutes River. Vanora station was established on August 6, 1911 by the Oregon Trunk railroad. It was named for Ora Van Tassell transposing the Van and Ora. He was a farmer and real estate developer that owned the property where the station was established. Ora was born in Michigan about 1878. He and his wife Bertha settled along the Deschutes River and anticipated the arrival of the railroad. He later became a grain buyer and moved to Madras. He installed an elaborate water system along the river that was abandoned when he moved into Madras. A post office was established at the station on March 22, 1911 with John T. Disney the first postmaster. The post office closed on December 15, 1920. The town once had two stores, a grade school, a non-alcoholic saloon, a baseball field and a grain warehouse. 

While the town of Vanora no longer remains. People still live in the area along the Deschutes River in permanent residences or in vacation and fishing homes. 

Vanora Grade

This old road grade is on the north side of the John Brown Canyon high miles north of Madras. It is visible about Highway 26. The grade was first known as Elkins Grade but became known as Vanora Grade after the Oregon Trunk established a railroad at Vanora in 1911. It was a narrow and steep grade that ascended from the Deschutes River Canyon up to Agency Plains. Rock work and portions of the road are still visible. The grade was used by wagons and early automobiles until the present Highway 26 was built in the mid 1930's. The road grade was only a few feet wider than wagons or autos and was a unique traveling experience for early wagon traffic and challenging to early motorists. 

Passing motorists, if they look closely can see the original Vanora Grade to this day as the climb Highway 26 out of Warm Springs, Oregon. 

Vanora School

The school was earlier known as Disney School and was established in 1903 at the site of what would later become Vanora. Local residents John Campbell arranged for the first school and hired and boarded the first teacher Lillian Watts. Mrs. Watts taught at the school until 1908. Vanora was established when the railroad built the line to the area in 1910 and the school name was changed to Vanora. The school operated until the abandonment of the rail line in 1923. 

Vanora Tunnel

This old railroad tunnel is located just southwest of the Warm Springs Bridge across the Deschutes River and above the Rainbow Store. The Oregon Trunk Railroad built their line along the Deschutes from Trout Creek to Mecca and a tunnel was built at this site to avoid a sharp bend in the rail line. The tunnel is approximately 200 years long. The rail line referred to it as tunnel #5. It was completed in 1911 and utilized by the Oregon Trunk until this section of line was abandoned in 1923. It was named for its close proximity to Vanora Station that was about two miles south of the tunnel. After the line was bonded, Lewis "Turk" Irving purchased the site of the tunnel in an attempt to grow mushrooms in the tunnel. The venture did not materialize. Later the tunnel was utilized as as storage space for potatoes and a ventilating system was constructed. It is now abandoned. This is one of the few tunnels not collapsed along the old Oregon Trunk Line. It is sometimes referred to as the Rainbow Tunnel. 

Vanora Tunnel, located in Warm Springs, Oregon behind the Rainbow Market. It is one of the only original Oregon Train Tunnels to still be standing. Photo from Abandoned Rails. 

Excerpt taken from: Central Oregon Place Names, Volume II Jefferson County, Steve Lent, Pages 274-275

Barley Chili

January usually means two things for the overwhelming majority of people… New Year's Resolutions AND some form of diet, detox or weight loss. We have the answer to your New Year's goals with this hearty AND healthy barley chili. Chili can generally be a fairly healthy recipe but this is taken up a notch by replacing the meat with you guessed it, barley! The pearled barley gives the chili another layer of flavor and texture you won't find in other recipes. 

This is literally a dump and stir recipe, the only kitchen skill you need is to be able to dice an onion! The longer the chili simmers, the better it gets! You could easily throw all the ingredients into a Crockpot or Instant Pot before you left for work and come home to a delicious dinner ready to eat. Serve with a side of cornbread or even better, beer cheese bread and you have yourself the perfect winter dinner!

To get your free recipe card CLICK HERE and keep reading to get the full recipe.

Barley Chili

Serves 6-8

Ingredients:

3/4 C. Pearl Barley
2 1/2 C. Water
1 Yellow Onion (Diced)
2 Cans Chili Beans
1 Can Kidney Beans
1 Can Black Beans
14 oz. Can Diced Green Chiles

2 Cans Fire Roasted Tomatoes

2 tsp. Chili Powder

1 tsp. Garlic Powder

1 tsp. Smoked Paprika
1 tbsp. Kosher Salt
1 tsp. Pepper
Diced Cilantro
Shredded Cheddar Cheese Diced Avocado
Sour Cream

Directions:

Bring pearl barley and water to boil in a pot, turn down heat and simmer for 50-60 minutes (until barley is tender and water is gone). Meanwhile, dice the onion and saute in a large potwith oil until translucent. Add beans, chiles, tomatoes and seasonings. Bring to a boil and then turn down to simmer for 30 minutes- 1 hours. Once barley has finished, stir into chili. Top with diced cilantro and avocado, shredded cheddar cheese and sour cream.

Featured Employee- Katie Ralls

Katie Ralls is the Relationship Manager for Mecca Grade Estate Malt and also January's Featured Employee. Take a few minutes to get to know Katie and of course, if you would like to know more or just want to say hi, feel free to reach out at: katie@meccagrade.com

Name/Nickname: Katie Michelle Ralls

Age: 32

Quick Background: I grew up on our family’s farm, with my brother Seth, where we lived in the same house until we went to college. While growing up my dad (Brad) taught me that there weren’t “boy jobs” or “girl jobs,” so when I was older I spent my summers driving tractors and trying not to break things or ruin harvest. Once I graduated from high school, I took part of a year off from college and served as the Oregon FFA State Secretary. 

In March 2006, I started college at Oregon State University where I double majored in interior design and housing studies. Unfortunately, when I graduated in June 2010, it was at the height of the recession and also the housing crash so design jobs were pretty nonexistent. I was lucky enough to land a job working for the Central Oregon Regional Housing Authority, where I served as a Housing Specialist managing my own caseload and helping people find affordable housing. 

At the beginning of January 2011, I was setup on an awkward blind date that eventually lead me to marrying my husband Travis. When we got married in May 2012 I stopped working at the housing authority and began my new job at the Central Oregon Agricultural Research Center as their Education Coordinator. There I worked with schools and after school programs focusing on gardens and agricultural literacy. I also worked with local farmers on continuing education and events and the Jefferson County 4-H program. 

When we had our daughter in December 2017 I decided I wanted to be able to be home with her. Once I wrapped up some things with my job after maternity leave, I put in my notice and then shortly started working for Mecca Grade Estate Malt. 

Job Description: As the Relationship Manager for Mecca Grade Estate Malt, I am in charge of managing our social media accounts and the Malt Eagle Newsletter. I am also in charge of organizing events for the malt house and farm and helping educate the general public on agriculture, barley, malting and everything in between!

Favorite Thing About Mecca Grade or the Farm:  I never get tired of looking out our living room or kitchen window and seeing an unblocked view of the Cascade Mountain Range, we really are so lucky to live where we do. I love being able to work with and see my family on a daily business and help the farm, malt house and all of the other endeavors tied to it grow and succeed. Being able to raise my own family on the farm and have some of the same experiences I did growing up is pretty special as well. 

Freetime Hobbies: Baking, cooking, anything/everything creative and crafty, running my own business Katie Michelle Designs, spending time with my family and friends.  

Favorite Beer or Spirit: I am not sure if this is safe to say here or not but I am actually not a big beer drinker. I have tried SO HARD over the years to like it but it just hasn’t happened for me. I love a good glass of red wine or a vodka soda with a twist of lime and fresh mint. 

What Would be Your Last Supper Meal? This is pretty easy and specific… Prime rib with au jus and horsradish, a loaded baked potato, grilled vegetables, an extensive salad bar, dark chocolate cake with vanilla buttercream, red wine and a glass of Opal Springs water. Homemade macaroni and cheese might also be in there. 

Beer Beef- Our Take on Belgium Beef

With the weather turning colder there is nothing better than a warm plate of comfort food on a winter night. Beer beef, our take on Belgium Beef is sure to leave you feeling satisfied. Chunks of beef are slow cooked in caramelized onions, dark beer and broth, leaving your home smelling like an old wool European kitchen. Serve over buttered egg noodles or creamy mashed potatoes, with your favorite dark beer and you won't be sorry!

This recipe comes together quickly and the best part is that cooks all afternoon in the oven so you are freed up to do other things. Traditional Belgium Beef is made with Belgium beer but we subbed in one of our favorite dark beers by Yachats Brewing, Marbled Murrelet. Feel free to use your favorite as well, just make sure it is a dark, rich beer for a full flavor effect in the recipe. 

To get your free recipe card CLICK HERE and keep reading to get the full recipe.

Beer Beef (Our Take on Belgium Beef)

Serves 4-6

Ingredients:

3 Pounds Beef Chuck or Round Steak Cut into 1" Cubes

1 Cup Flour

1 tsp. Salt

1/2 tsp. Pepper

1/4 C. Olive Oil

3 Onions (Thinly Sliced)

2 C. Beef Broth

2 C. Dark Beer

1 tsp. Sage

1 tsp. Garlic Powder

1 tsp. Thyme

1 tsp. Marjoram

2 Bay Leaves

Directions:

Preheat oven to 325 degrees F. Cut beef into one inch cubes. In a large ziplock bag mix together flour, salt and pepper. Add beef in batches breading all sides. Over medium high heat in a large dutch oven, heat oil and brown beef on all sides (this will have to be done in batches). Place browned beef on a plate and set aside.

Leaving browned bits in the same Dutch oven, add more oil if needed, turn down heat to medium and caramelize thinly sliced onions. Make sure onions are actually caramelized and translucent (can take 20 minutes) and not just browned, this will make a HUGE difference.

Once onions are caramelized, deglaze pan with beer. Add in broth and spices, stirring to combine. Lastly add in beef and cover with lid. Place in oven and cook for 2-2.5 hours until beef is tender and the liquid has created a gravy. Serve over buttered egg noodles or mashed potatoes. 

The History of Gateway, Oregon

Gateway is nine miles north of Madras and south of Trout Creek. It is located in a naturally eroded valley that provides a gate from the Deschutes River to the upper plateau. When railroads first entered into Central Oregon from the north along the Deschutes River one of the rail lines used this pathway to emerge to the uplands. A post office was established on March 12, 1913 with William M. Blair the first postmaster. Originally the office was established as Young’s a few miles east, but was moved to the rail tracks and named for the natural depression that allowed the railroad a Gateway to Central Oregon. It is believed that George McFarland, a water pumper for the newly completed railroad gave Gateway its name. A railroad station and stockyards was built at Gateway and the site became an important shipping point. A traveling salesman named Kegler built the first store. An article in the Madras Pioneer on July 24, 1919 gives a lively description of Gateway:

"Gateway is a thriving little burg which always seems to be up and doing, always in for its share of things for the common good and always open for a chance to improve and grow. It is the first town from the northern boundary of Jefferson County and is the outlet for two of Jefferson county’s richest sections, Trout Creek and Ashwood; as well as the northern edge of Big Agency Plains. Gateway has two general stores, a new and well managed hotel, a confectionary store, Tum-a-Lum lumber yard, blacksmith shop and garage. It is on the O-W railroad and has good warehouses. Gateway is growing and will continue to do so."

The post office was discontinued on September 30, 1956 with mail moving to Madras.

Part of the original railroad which can still be seen. 

Gateway Grade

This road grade is located just west of Gateway and descends down on Juniper Lane from Agency Plains to Mud Springs Valley. The steep grade was first built to allow Agency Plains farmers a route to get their harvested wheat from the Plains down to the railroad depot at Gateway for shipment to market. It currently is a paved road and a main access from Gateway to Agency Plains.

The Gateway Grade, as seen from the top of North Agency Plains. 

Gateway Recreation Site

This Bureau of Land Management campground is located near the mouth of Trout Creek on the Deschutes River. It is also known as Trout Creek Recreation Site. It is named for its close proximity to Gateway. The BLM has developed several camping and picnic sites at the campground. There are toilet and water facilities, a public boat ramp, parking and a seasonal ranger station. There also is a trail along the Deschutes River that follows the old Oregon Trunk Railroad Line on the south bank of the Deschutes River from the camp to Mecca Recreation site. The camp is very popular with boaters, rafters and fishermen.

Gateway Rim

This rimrock is located two miles southwest of Gateway on the eastern edge of Agency Plains. A U.S.G.S. benchmark gives an elevation of 2306 feet. The road grade from Gateway to Agency Plains winds its way up this rim. It is named for its close location above the community of Gateway.

Gateway School

This school was located at the site of the Gateway community. As the railroad arrived in Central Oregon in 1911 and passed through the newly established community of Gateway it was determined a school was necessary in 1912. There was not a building available so local parents decided to use a nearby saloon as a school room. Parents did most of the scrubbing and removed offensive items such as spittoons and mirrors and made the building acceptable. A new school house was later built and was utilized until the late 1960’s. The first teacher at the school was Viola Smith and there were about ten students. An article in the Madras Pioneer on October 19, 1916, described the school:

"A very enjoyable evening was spent at the Gateway school, District 17, on Friday, October 13. Mrs. Harriet Woosley, the teacher, and her pupils, deserve great praise for the way in which the excellent program was carried out. The dramatization of Hiawatha was especially good. After the program a number of boxes filled to the utmost with samples of the delicious cookery of the ladies of Gateway were auctioned off. The neat little sum of $26 was realized from the sale. The money is to be used in meeting requirements which will bring the school up to the standardization mark."

Excerpt taken from: Central Oregon Place Names, Volume II Jefferson County, Steve Lent, Pages 91-93

Gateway Present Day

While Gateway is not the thriving metropolis that it once was, many of the settlers ancestors still inhabit the area today, where they live, farm and raise their families. There are glimpses back into time where you can see an abandoned store building and also the town's church. The railroad still runs through Gateway and if you listen closely on a quiet night, you can hear it chugging through the sleepy town from the malt house.

An old, abandoned store front in Gateway, Oregon. 

The First Baptist Church, which is no longer in use but stands in pristine condition.

In the last several years a new seed plant has been built, Obsidian Seed. It is co-owned and operated by one of the Gateway pioneer families, The Vibberts. Grain, grass seed and other speciality seed are hauled down the Gateway Grade from Agency Plains just like they were 100 years ago, but now in semi trucks instead of wagons. 

Each Fourth of July, Gateway hosts its annual Independence Day Parade that starts "Roughly at 3," where you get to see the parade not once but twice, as it winds through the town and then back again! Afterwards a local family hosts a potluck for neighbors and friends to celebrate America and the town of Gateway.