Road Trip - Fort Rock Valley Homestead

I love ghost towns and on the way to see Fort Rock State Monument, I ran across a gem in the high desert of Central Oregon (scroll down for 3D photos). Fort Rock Valley Homestead is composed of a museum and numerous restored historic buildings from the area that were salvaged and relocated to Fort Rock, creating a sort of ghost town in the middle of nowhere. 

The restored town was opened in 1988 by the Fort Rock Valley Historical Society, and grew over the years as more buildings were saved from demolition or donated. The historic town is made up of three houses, a doctor's office, a mercantile, three cabins, and a school.

The town originated as a result of the Homestead Act of 1862 that fueled a land rush which allowed heads of households, widows, and all single people over 21 years old to purchase 160 acres at $1.25 per acre, or by paying a $15 filing fee after 5 years of residence and cultivation. Motivated by dreams of a "Garden of Eden" or simply the desire to own land, thousands headed west.

While the land was essentially free, getting
to the land, building a home, and plowing the land required money. The harsh environment also defeated many. More than 1.3 million claims were filed in the United States before 1900, but less than half proved successful.
Source: Fort Rock Valley Homestead visitor information