Oregon is famed for its natural allure, cultural diversity, and progressive ethos. However, within its secluded corners, obscured by the passage of time, lies a hidden facet—a darker side. One such enigmatic locale is Whitney, a ghost town that echoes with the remnants of its past glory.
The Rise and Fall of Whitney
In 1891, William Whitney, a prospector, founded Whitney upon discovering gold in the nearby North Fork Burnt River. The town thrived, boasting a mill, a store, a hotel, and even a post office. Drawn by the promise of prosperity, hundreds of miners, loggers, and settlers flocked to the burgeoning community, establishing a thriving population of over 1,000 at its zenith. Whitney flourished, hosting amenities like a school, a church, a saloon, a newspaper, and a telephone line.
Yet, the zenith was fleeting. The gold mines diminished, the timber industry waned, and the town weathered fires, floods, and epidemics. By the 1920s, Whitney lay nearly deserted, with only a handful of families lingering. The post office shuttered in 1938, and the last inhabitants departed in the 1970s. Today, Whitney stands as a ghost town, embraced by the U.S. Forest Service and sporadically explored by hunters, hikers, and history enthusiasts.
The Secrets and Legends of Whitney
While Whitney may be abandoned, its silence is not absolute. The town’s history unfolds with tales of legends, mysteries, and scandals. Some of the captivating stories include:
The Whitney Bank Robbery: In 1899, a band of outlaws pilfered $6,000 in gold dust and coins from the Whitney Bank. Pursued by an armed posse, a shootout ensued, resulting in one robber’s demise and another’s capture. The rest of the gang disappeared, along with the loot, sparking rumors that the stolen gold is concealed somewhere in Whitney’s vicinity.
The Whitney Cemetery: Housing approximately 40 marked graves adorned with wooden crosses, Whitney’s small cemetery harbors countless unmarked resting places for victims of violence, disease, and accidents. Tragic demises, such as a girl mauled by a bear, a man crushed by a falling tree, and a woman shot by her jealous husband, contribute to the haunting lore. Locals assert the cemetery is haunted by restless spirits, generating peculiar sounds and chilling spots.
The Whitney Monster: Adding to Whitney’s mystique is the legendary creature known as the Whitney Monster or the Blue Mountains Bigfoot. Described as a towering, ape-like being with glowing red eyes, long claws, and a foul odor, it roams the surrounding woods, allegedly hunting deer, elk, and cattle. Theories about its origin range from a descendant of the prehistoric giant sloth to a genetic experiment gone awry.
The Future of Whitney
Though Whitney exists as a ghost town, it is not consigned to oblivion. Acknowledged on the National Register of Historic Places and safeguarded by the U.S. Forest Service, Whitney invites public exploration. Visitors can wander through the vestiges of buildings, the cemetery, and the mill. However, caution, respect, and curiosity are urged. Whitney is a realm of history and enigma—a place that may send shivers down your spine, yet captivate your imagination.