May at the Museum Lecture Series with Randy Dunbar, Forester
Fish Lake Remount Depot
Thursday May 4, 2023 - 6:30PM
(Doors open at 6:15)
Admission is Free
Randy Dunbar, retired Forester, will introduce us to the Fish Lake Remount Depot on the crest of the Cascades. We’ll learn about the geology, landforms, Native Americans, Santiam Wagon Road (Pre-U.S. Forest Service), U.S. Forest Service use which included pack teams and the Friends of Fish Lake to today. The Fish Lake Remount Depot has a rich history.
Randy Dunbar lives in the Ponderosa Pine Forest on the southern outskirts of Bend, Oregon. However, it would be hard to call the McKenzie River country anything other than home. He retired in 2003 from a 35-year career as a forester with the US Forest Service. Most of that career was spent on the Mt. Hood and Willamette National Forests. The latter 20 years of that time was divided between serving as the District Ranger for the McKenzie Ranger District and Recreation/Lands/Minerals staff officer covering the Willamette and Siuslaw National Forests.
After serving 12 years as the District Ranger on the McKenzie Ranger District, Fish Lake Remount Depot had become a favorite place. The Forest Service discontinued the Forest pack string in 2005. As a result, a group of retirees with a similar fondness and respect for the historic site decided to band together to care for the buildings and the overall site. In 2010 that group formed the Friends of Fish Lake as a 501(c)(3) non-profit to carry on the work more formally. Randy is a charter member and has served as treasurer and board member since the beginning.
Come learn about the Fish Lake Remount Depot!